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The study investigates how varying rates of mileage reduction during tapering influence race performance and psychological indicators in junior high runners.

April 1, 2026Open Access

Effects of different rates of reduction in mileage during the tapering period on 3,000m time and physiological and psychological indices in middle- and long-distance runners in junior high school students

Key Points

The study investigates how varying rates of mileage reduction during tapering influence race performance and psychological indicators in junior high runners.
Included 12 male junior high school runners aged 13.5 ± 0.5 years.
Implemented two tapering strategies (20% and 40% mileage reduction) over 7 days.
Conducted 3,000m time trials before and after tapering.
Measured RMSSD and psychological fatigue and tension using the POMS2 scale.
No significant differences were found in 3,000m times following the different tapering methods.
Fatigue scores decreased during tapering, particularly with the recommended 40% reduction.
RMSSD increased more significantly with the recommended tapering method.

Abstract

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.

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