400m Factsheet
400m Factsheet
400m Factsheet
Race Modelling
The purpose of race modelling is to run different
distances at the tempo of a pre-determined race
strategy to develop rhythm, event specific fitness
and the ability to run to a plan.
The Energy Systems
The 400m has a unique energy requirement profile that requires
a range of training methods to target each of the relevant systems.
The table below shows the approximate percentage that each energy
system contributes to the event. Glycogen
Event Duration ATP - PC Lactic Aerobic
(seconds)
100m ~11 ~50% ~45% ~5%
200m ~20 ~25% ~45% ~30%
400m ~48 ~12% ~50% ~38%
800m ~110 ~5% ~33% ~62%
Table 1: Contribution of Energy Systems in the Sprints
Speed vs Special
Endurance Speed Endurance
Most important for short sprinters, but should also be
incorporated into a 400m program throughout the season.
You may have already encountered the term ‘Special
Endurance’ and wondered how it relates to speed endurance. Special Endurance I
Both forms of training aim at developing the anaerobic Important for both short sprinters and 400m runners and
lactate or glycolytic system to assist the athlete run at high can be used by coaches throughout the season to develop
speeds after their ATP stores have been depleted. the athlete’s capacity for running at near maximal velocity
over ~300m.
Special endurance can be broken down further into Special
Endurance I and Special Endurance II. The table below
Special Endurance II
Due to the distances which Special Endurance II drills are
shows how the forms of training vary and which forms are a
conducted, this exercise is the most specific to the 400m
priority for 400m athletes.
runner and should be prioritised in the training program.
Priority
High
will depend on the individual requirements of the athlete. Types of Training
Speed Endurance
Experienced 400m and Head Coach at Baylor University, Strength
Clyde Hart, recommends a season that commences with
Tempo
a focus on general strength, general endurance and
Speed
speed endurance training. As the season progresses, a
Priority
greater focus on special endurance II, top speed running Race Modelling
Low
and race modelling is suggested. Strength training should Early Season Mid-Season Late Season
also evolve from general free weight and machine
Figure 1: General Season Training Model for the 400m
training to more running-specific strength exercises.
How would your season plan differ from this model for
the individual needs of your 400m runners?
Thoughts from other coaches:
Anula Costa: “For my older athletes, the season progression is quite similar to this model...early in
the season I focus on building the athlete...agility, balance, general strength and developing the
aerobic capacity so the athlete has the capacity to train hard. As the season progresses, training
becomes more specific - rhythm, speed and speed endurance, to prepare for our target event.”
Monday Monday
Focus on developing the anaerobic alactic energy system Focus on developing the anaerobic alactic energy system
Short sprints: e.g. 5 x 30m Short sprints: e.g. 5 x 30m
General strength development: e.g. medball throws, General strength development: e.g. medball throws,
short jumps, free weights short jumps, free weights
Tuesday Tuesday
Focus on developing aerobic capacity Focus on developing aerobic capacity
Extensive tempo running: e.g. 4 x 500m Extensive tempo running: e.g. 4 x 500m
Strength endurance circuit: e.g. body weight circuit Strength endurance circuit: e.g. body weight circuit
Wednesday Wednesday
Focus on developing the anaerobic alactic energy system Focus on developing speed endurance
Short hill sprints Speed endurance or Special endurance I exercises
Resistance strength development: e.g. stabilisation Resistance strength development: e.g. free weights
strength, prehab, core.
Thursday Thursday
Focus on active recovery Focus on active recovery
e.g. swimming / light strength session Resistance strength development: e.g. stabilisation
strength, prehab, core.
Friday Friday
Focus on developing speed endurance Focus on developing speed endurance
Speed endurance exercises: e.g. 3 x (90m, 110m, 130m) Speed endurance exercises: e.g. 3 x (90m, 110m, 130m)
General strength development: e.g. body weight circuit Power development: e.g. bounds, medball circuit
Saturday Saturday
Focus on developing aerobic capacity Focus on addressing athlete’s individual requirements
Intensive tempo running: 5 x 350m Speed endurance/ extensive tempo/ power endurance/
Strength endurance circuit: e.g. bodyweight exercises hills/ restoration etc.
Sunday Sunday
Recovery Recovery
Example Mesocycle Phases
Pre-Competition Phase Competition Phase
• 1-2 cycles, 4-5 weeks each • 1 cycle, 3-4 weeks
• Emphasis on intensity over volume • Volume decreased while intensity is maintained
• Technical training - race rhythm & simulation • Focus on achieving optimal physical condition
Monday Monday
Focus on developing anaerobic power / speed endurance Focus on developing anaerobic power / speed endurance
Longer sprints: e.g. 4 x 80m Longer sprints: e.g. 4 x 80m
General strength development: e.g. medball throws, General strength development: e.g. medball throws,
short jumps, free weights short jumps, free weights
Tuesday Tuesday
Focus on developing race rhythm Focus on developing race rhythm or race simulation
Intensive tempo running: e.g. 3 x 300m Intensive tempo running: e.g. 3 x 300m
Wednesday Wednesday
Focus on developing speed endurance Focus on developing speed endurance
Special endurance I or II session Special endurance I or II session
Reactive strength: e.g. plyometrics Reactive strength: e.g. plyometrics or short hill sprints
Thursday Thursday
Focus on active recovery Focus on maximum speed running
Resistance strength development: e.g. stabilisation Short sprints: e.g. 6 x 40m
strength, prehab, core.
Friday Friday
Focus on developing speed endurance Focus on preparing for competition
Special endurance I or II session Prehab, stabilisation exercises, active recovery
General strength development: e.g. body weight circuit
Saturday Saturday
Focus on addressing athlete’s individual requirements Compete
Speed endurance/ extensive tempo/ power endurance/
hills/ restoration etc.
Sunday Sunday
Recovery Recovery
Example Weekly Programs
The following alternate examples of 400m training Adapted from Peter Fortune for Athletics Australia STAR
programs offer an idea of the way various coaches approach
the challenge of structuring their weekly sessions. Day Focus Main Activity
Mon Strength Free weights
Points to Consider
• The coaches will often choose to schedule a tempo 1 x 600m, 2 x300m,
Tues Speed End.
or recovery day following a speed endurance session. 2 x 200m
• Coaches approach the strength training of 400m
runners in a variety of ways, including plyometrics
Wed Tem. / Seg. (3 x 2min), 1min @90%
training, hill running and free weights. Thurs Speed End. 4 x 120m, 3 x 300m
• Brian Pozzi’s training program for junior athletes, has Fri Rest Active - Swimming
a stronger focus on developing pure speed, consistent
with the approach that speed must be developed Sat Strength Hill Running 6 x 30m
before speed endurance.
Sun Rest
Warm Ups
Light jog Supine Single-leg Raise Walking Lunges
Dynamic Flexibility
Develops range of motion and flexibility
A-Skip into 15m run through Inverted Splits Star Jumps into run through
Prepares the body explosive movements
• Measure 30m on a track, place a cone at the start • Place cones at 50m intervals over 150m.
and at 5m intervals • The athlete runs the first 50m at half pace, the
• Sprint from the starting cone to the first cone, second 50m at 3/4 speed, and the final 70m at
turn and sprint back. Repeat for each cone near full pace.
progressively. • 8 minutes active recovery
• Active rest for 90 seconds • Up to 4 sets in a session
• Limit to a maximum of six sets • Focus should be on relaxed technique in first 50
• First 100m at 50%, 150m at just below race pace • 300m, 60 seconds active rest, 300m in the
and the final 100m at the target race pace (or as opposite direction.
close as possible). • Pace should be 90% of target race pace.
• 5 minute recovery between sets • Allow for full recovery between sets
• Limit to a maximum of 3 sets in a session • Up to 2 sets maximum.
• As a variation to develop curve running, use a
Develops athlete’s ability to maintain speed over ~400m
• Limit to 3 sets per session. • 2 x 60 seconds at 95% of target race pace with
• Focus on the athlete’s form over the final 50m. 15 minute rest
• 2 x (20 seconds at 95%, 20 seconds at 50%, 20
Quality Runs seconds at 95%) with 5 minute recovery
• 6 x 150m at 100% of target race pace with 7
minute recovery between sets Quality Runs
• 4 x 200m at 95% of target race pace with 5 • Runs at ‘maximum’ effort pace
minute recovery between sets. • 4 x 300m with 10 minute recovery
• 2 x 350m with full recovery
Training Drills
Tempo Running
Extensive Tempo
• Runs at a comfortable pace well below the athlete’s
lactate threshold - between 70% and 80% of the
athlete’s target 400m pace.
• Total session volume should be between 1000 and
3000 metres.
• Recovery periods should be short - between 30 and
90 seconds.
• e.g. 8 x 200m @ 78% with 1 minute active recovery.
• e.g. 5 x 500m @ 70% with 90 second active recovery.
Intensive Tempo
• Runs at an ‘effort’ pace at or near the athlete’s lactate
threshold - between 80% and 90% of the athlete’s
target 400m pace.
• Total session volume should be between 700m and
2200 metres.
• Recovery can be from 90 seconds to 5 minutes.
• e.g. 3 x 350m @ 82% with a 3 minute active recovery.
• e.g 5 x 200 @85% with a 2 minute active recovery.
Segment Running
Start Focus
• Block start from 400m start over first 200m
• Ask the athlete to target a specific time - e.g. 2 seconds
slower than the athlete’s 200m PB.
• Allow for full recovery and repeat
• Use hand signals to assist the athlete pace their effort.
Session Focus
To develop the athlete’s maximum velocity and
general strength
Coaching Consideration
Target the anaerobic alactic energy system
(greater than 95% intensity, less than 8sec duration)
Warm Up
250m light jog - up and back over 50m
Dynamic calf stretch (heel off ledge) x 12 each leg
Dynamic leg stretch forward and back x 12 each leg
Iron cross stretch x 6
Dynamic shoulder stretch x 30sec
10m walking lunges
A-skip 10m into Run through 15m x 2 Session 2 - Speed Endurance
Heel pick up 10m into 15m run through
30m run through at 70% intensity
30m run through at 80% intensity Focus
30m run through at 90% intensity To develop the athlete’s speed endurance and core
strength
Main Session
2 x Fly-in 30m into the wind Coaching Consideration
2 x Fly-in 30m wind supported Target the lactic system to build capacity
2 x Fly-in 30m on the curve (between 80-94% intensity, 20-60 seconds duration)
2 x Block starts from 400m start line to 30m
Main Session
Depletion Runs
250m with 1 minute rest, 4 x 70m with 2 minute rest
Core Strength
2 circuits of 10 reps / 40 seconds
V-Sits
Side V-Ups (both sides)
Wrestler’s Bridge
Double Leg Bucks with Hold at Extension (5 sec)
Double Leg Eagles
Legs up Toe Touches
Plank
Side Plank
Training Chart
The following chart can be used to help guide training pace
for tempo, race modelling and speed endurance sessions.
Example Times
The following information is provided to give you an
understanding of the top 400m times being run by Australian
athletes at the National Championships.
This is intended to be an evolving document that reflects the opinions of Accredited Athletics Coaches.
If you would like to add your thoughts, ideas or opinions, please email coachaccreditation@athletics.org.au.