Comment on: “The General Adaptation Syndrome: A Foundation for the Concept of Periodization”

Excerpt

A recent paper [1] was written to clarify “how the GAS serves as an appropriate mechanistic model to conceptualize the periodization of training.” This review appears to have been inspired by recent papers from our research group which have criticized the application of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS) to periodized resistance exercise. Contrary to what we have recently posited [2], this paper [1] suggests that the GAS “has proven to be an instructive framework for understanding the mechanistic process of providing a training stimulus to induce specific adaptations that result in functional enhancements.” We were excited to read their paper, as this idea deserves a fair and thorough discussion from multiple research groups. However, after reviewing this paper’s [1] counter to ours, we don’t believe any new experimental data are discussed explaining how a “syndrome produced by various noxious agents” provides a logical rationale for the periodization of resistance exercise. …