308: How to Navigate a World of Exploding Metrics and Estimates with Dr. Stephen Seiler and Marco Altini
Feb 29, 2024
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Exploring the challenges of tracking metrics and estimates in training, from validating data to individualizing approaches. Discussing the complexities of measuring training metrics and the potential negative effects of excessive monitoring. Delving into the challenges of translating lab measurements to real-world cycling scenarios and the importance of accurate metrics for sports performance tracking. Exploring the significance of subjective metrics like RPE alongside objective measurements and warning against overreliance on too many measurements for tracking performance.
Training metrics are exploding, some are actual measurements while others are estimates, highlighting validity concerns.
Measuring training intensity aids in individualizing plans, detecting deviations, and institutional knowledge for coaching.
Psychological impacts of metrics like sleep scores can lead to obsessions, stress, emphasizing balance in usage.
Deep dives
The Evolution in Training Metrics
Training has dramatically evolved from a field-based approach to utilizing numbers to track workout and daily activities. While heart rate and cadence are measured accurately, metrics like sleep scores or training stress are estimates, raising concerns about their validity. This shift towards quantifying every aspect of training is explored by physiologist Dr. Stephen Siler and Dr. Marco Altini, emphasizing the differences between measured and estimated metrics.
The Importance of Monitoring Training
Monitoring training serves multiple purposes, including ensuring that athletes match the prescribed training intensity, individualizing training plans based on individual responses, detecting deviations that may indicate overtraining, and building institutional knowledge for future coaching. These factors provide insights into an athlete's physical condition and aid in making timely adjustments.
The Psychological Impact of Metrics
Various metrics and estimates, such as sleep ratings and training stress scores, can have psychological impacts on athletes. Metrics like sleep scores can lead to obsessions or stress about performance, altering an athlete's behavior. Understanding the balance between relying on metrics for performance improvements and avoiding obsessive behavior is crucial.
Validating Metrics and Ensuring Reliability
The podcast delves into the debate between the importance of validity and reliability of metrics. While reliability is crucial for tracking changes within individuals, validity becomes vital when comparing data across individuals or setting performance standards. By comparing data from multiple devices and ensuring consistency, the podcast emphasizes the significance of reliable and valid metrics for accurate performance assessment and training monitoring.
Challenges in Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) for Muscle Activity Monitoring
NIRS devices sample a small amount of tissue, causing challenges in interpreting overall muscle activity. Multiple NIRS devices on different muscles yield varying values, indicating limitations in using NIRS for comprehensive insights. The method's reliance on sampling limited tissue makes projecting whole-body responses challenging.
Debates Surrounding the Reliability of Performance Metrics and Estimates
Estimating metrics like FTP (Functional Threshold Power) faces challenges due to individual variations in performance and fatigue curves. Normalized Power, while aiming to estimate internal stress, can lead to misinterpretations, as athletes may misjudge their effort levels. Despite the utility of estimated metrics like RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion), understanding their approximation nature is crucial for effective interpretation.
The number of, well, numbers we track during training is exploding, but they’re not all made equal. Some represent actual measurements while others are just estimates. We discuss the implications.