Periodization, training intensity distribution, and blood lactate monitoring in a female Olympic champion 20 km race walker: a longitudinal case study

This study examined the periodized training structure, training intensity distribution, key race-specific sessions, and blood lactate responses of a female Olympic champion in the 20 km race walk during preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. A longitudinal observational case study used training and physiological monitoring data collected from 4 December 2023 to 28 July 2024. The preparation period comprised winter preparation, competition-specific intensification, and final pre-competition phases. Race-walking mileage was classified into four practical intensity zones and grouped as low- (LIT), moderate- (MIT), and high-intensity training (HIT). Incremental road-based tests were used to establish lactate–speed relationships, with speeds at fixed blood lactate concentrations estimated by linear interpolation. Across the preparation period, the athlete completed 3,719.2 km of race-walking training, including 81.9% LIT, 9.4% MIT, and 8.7% HIT, indicating an overall pyramidal distribution. LIT remained dominant across all phases, whereas race-pace exposure increased during competition-specific intensification. Key sessions included 25–30 km long-distance race walking, repeated 1–2 km intervals, same-day double sessions, long-distance variable-pace training, and stair climbing combined with fast walking. From the first to the final monitoring session, estimated speed increased from 12.59 to 14.34 km h −1 at 2.0 mmol L −1 and from 13.68 to 15.79 km h −1 at 4.0 mmol L −1 , while the slope between these reference points decreased from 1.85 to 1.38 mmol L −1 (km h −1 ) −1 . These findings describe how individualized periodization, predominantly low-intensity training, race-specific sessions, lactate monitoring, environmental preparation, and competition strategy were integrated in Olympic preparation.