This study aims to examine the effects of different rates of reduction in mileage during the tapering period on 3,000m time and psychological indices and Root Mean Square of Successive Differences of RR intervals (RMSSD) in junior high school runners. 12 male junior high school student runners (13.5 ± 0.5 years, 3,000m time: 10:25.39 ± 48.76) were implemented two types of tapering, each 7 days, in which the mileage was reduced by about 20% (slight tapering) or about 40% (recommended tapering) from generally training period. Then, before and after tapering, the participants performed a 3,000m Time Trial (TT). RMSSD and “Fatigue” and “Tension” scale scores by measured POMS2 were measured at 1, 4, and 7 days, and on the day of TT implementation of the two types of tapering periods. No significant main effects or interactions were observed for differences in tapering and for time of TT before and after tapering. On the other hand, the fatigue score decreased from the 1 day of tapering to the day of implementing TT, but was lower at recommended tapering. RMSSD increased from the 7 day of tapering to the day of implementing TT, but was higher at recommended tapering. The results of this study suggest that both recommended tapering and slight tapering suppress the detraining effect. However, recommended tapering may be more beneficial for reduction of psychological fatigue and parasympathetic nervous system activity.
Obata et al. (Sat,) studied this question.