Effect of Training Periodisation on Anthropometric Variables of Men and Women Elite Indian Wushu Taolu Players

Training periodisation is a systematic approach to organising training into distinct phases, each with specific goals to optimise performance and avoid plateaus by managing fatigue and varying training intensity and volume over time.This structured method helps prevent overtraining by incorporating essential rest and recovery periods, which support physical adaptation and reduce injury risk but also impact key anthropometric and body composition parameters-vital for assessing an athlete's physical status and tailoring training programs effectively by influencing body composition metrics such as fat mass (FM), total body fat percentage (TBF), fat-free mass (FFM), skeletal muscle mass (SMM), and bone mass (BM), which are essential markers of an athlete's physical readiness and development.This study aimed to examine the effect of periodisation through the four training phases on anthropometric and body composition variables in elite Indian men and women Wushu Taolu players.Thirty elite Wushu Taolu athletes (20 men and 10 women) were monitored over four training phases: General Preparatory Phase (GPP), Specific Preparatory Phase (SPP), Pre-Competitive Phase (PCP), and Competitive Phase (CP) of their training macro-cycle.The study followed a longitudinal observational design with repeated measures and statistical analysis to determine changes across training stages and between genders.This study demonstrates a positive response to training periodisation, highlighting its effectiveness in optimising body composition and physical preparedness in elite Taolu Wushu players.The reductions in total body fat percentage (TBF) and increases in skeletal muscle mass (SMM) across men and women players indicate that periodisation supports targeted improvements in athletic metrics critical to performance.The relatively stable body mass, alongside gains in fat-free mass (FFM), particularly in men players, further underscores the benefits of a structured training approach, confirming that training periodisation effectively enhances body composition while managing fatigue and avoiding overtraining.