Mapping 7 Zone to 3 Zone Model Wrt Polarized Training

+1. Our discussions on POL vs non POL training is centered just mostly just on intensity and power output. I don’t feel its correct, we need to bring other things into the picture and find a way to integrate. Part of the reason to map 3-zone to 7-zone is also to capture things other than power output.

What is “easy” and what is “hard” is known to most people, they’ll tell you that in a couple of seconds after the fact. The closest metric that achieves that perception is RPE. This is just another reason why we need to integrate the sRPE based load and stress information into intervals.ICU. See my previous thread on this : https://forum.intervals.icu/t/towards-load-strain-based-on-10-pt-session-rpe-rating/2936/3

So then, you end up with a precisely calculated TID according to the classification in the algorithm but also a crude but highly subjective form of “easy” and “hard” in terms of sRPE load and strain. And my hypothesis is that most serious athletes will have “fun” when a) training is not overly easy but b) training is also safe yet athlete challenged just to the right level.

Can we then think of a way to combine the two metrics and provide an index of polarization to user? Not sure, but this needs more research.

Here’s a hypothetical case :

Athlete A had a fantastic week of POL training. Good amount of volume in Z1, lots of variation so less monotony and training just right in Z3 so stressed just right. Eating well and resting well.
Week TID & RPE strain = POL, 1000.

Athlete B had a disastrous time after a week of POL training. Lots of volume in Z1 yes but high monotony, tried Z3 and nearly twisted an ankle on training day and unable to cope well with the training.
Week TID & RPE strain = POL, 1500.

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