A Subject-Tailored Variability-Based Platform for Overcoming the Plateau Effect in Sports Training: A Narrative Review

The plateau effect in training is a significant obstacle for professional athletes and average subjects. It evolves from both the muscle-nerve-axis-associated performance and various cardiorespiratory parameters. Compensatory adaptation mechanisms contribute to a lack of continuous improvement with most exercise regimens. Attempts to overcome this plateau in exercise have been only partially successful, and it remains a significant unmet need in both healthy subjects and those suffering from chronic neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, and metabolic diseases. Variability patterns characterize many biological processes, from cellular to organ levels. The present review discusses the significant obstacles in overcoming the plateau in training and establishes a platform to implement subject-tailored variability patterns to prevent and overcome this plateau in muscle and cardiorespiratory performance.

Automated summary

The plateau effect in training is a significant obstacle that affects both professional athletes and average individuals. The lack of continuous improvement in muscle-nerve-axis performance and cardiorespiratory parameters is due to compensatory adaptation mechanisms. Overcoming this plateau has proven to be only partially successful, and it remains a significant unmet need for individuals with chronic neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, and metabolic diseases. This review discusses the obstacles in overcoming the training plateau and proposes implementing subject-tailored variability patterns to prevent and overcome this plateau in muscle and cardiorespiratory performance.