What the study found
This review describes tapering as reducing accumulated training stress while retaining adaptations. It discusses volume, intensity, frequency and taper duration rather than one universally optimal schedule.
Participants and protocol
The paper synthesizes precompetition tapering evidence across sports. It is a review, not a randomized test of one marathon plan.
What this cannot establish
Reported average performance changes and broad taper ranges should not be interpreted as a personal race forecast. The review dates from 2003; later event-specific evidence and current recovery remain relevant.
Publication details
- Record
- PubMed 12840640
- Publication types
- Review
- Indexed subjects
- Task Performance and Analysis · Evidence-Based Medicine · Energy Metabolism · Physical Endurance · Sports
- Source record checked
- 2026-10-18
Publication type and subject indexing describe the record; they are not a quality grade or proof of a benefit. An abstract does not replace a review of the full methods and results.
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Performance Science Lab
Research summaries for endurance athletes, with study context, practical protocols, and clear limitations.
Open guideTapering performance research
Tapering is how you cash your fitness check — without getting stale or anxious.
Open guideTime-trial performance research for endurance athletes
Practical performance outcome used in many studies: closer to racing than lab-only metrics.
Open guide