What is the principle of progression in training?

The principle of progression in training refers to the idea that in order to improve physical fitness and performance, individuals must gradually increase the intensity, duration, or frequency of their workouts over time. This gradual increase helps to ensure that the body adapts to the physical stresses placed on it, facilitating improvements in strength, endurance, and overall fitness levels.

By progressively challenging the body, one can avoid plateaus in fitness gains, reduce the risk of injury, and enhance motivation as improvements become evident. This approach aligns well with the body's adaptive response to training stimuli, which requires that these stimuli be adjusted over time to continue making progress.

For instance, someone training for a race might start with shorter distances and gradually increase their mileage each week. This approach allows the body to adapt to the increasing demands, leading to better performance and reduced risk of overuse injuries. Maintaining the same workout routine or focusing solely on flexibility does not promote the necessary adaptation and improvement associated with physical fitness, and a sudden increase in intensity can lead to injuries or burnout.