Imagine the world's finest athletes turned up at the start of a race too tired to give it their best shot?

Sounds absurd doesn't it?

Being too tired to perform at their peak is a real danger for most athletes.

If athletes train too hard and don't cut down their tough programme in the build-up to big events they run the risk of 'burn-out'.

Marathon runners need 2-4 weeks tapering

This is where tapering comes in.

Tapering is a phase in an athletes training programme where the training work they perform is reduced.

It usually occurs after a period of hard training or just before a major competition like the Olympics.

The general principle for tapering is similar for all sports.

But some events do require longer than others.

The marathon may require the athlete to taper, or decrease the mileage in their training programme, 2-4 weeks before an event.

Weighlifters must taper longer

This allows the muscles time to fully recover from the heavy slog of a marathon training programme.

Middle to long distance events require less of a taper.

But short intense events (like weightlifting, sprinting) need longer tapering periods.

This is because the fatigue associated with strength or speed training takes longer to subside when training is reduced.

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What is tapering?

Why do it?

When to do it?

Can science help?

Did you know?

Paula Radcliffe holds the world record for the women's marathon.

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