The performance management chart is a graph in TrainingPeaks that has been discussed many times. But what exactly is it and what can we do with it?
In this short article I will try to explain this in simple words.
If you have a TrainingPeaks premium account, you can always view this graph on both your app and via the TrainingPeaks website on your computer.
On your app, that graph is sometimes called “Overall Fitness,” while on the web version, you’ll see “Performance Management.” But both graphs are identical.
If you don't have a Premium account, you will always see the value of your Fatigue/Fitness/Form parameters.
To understand the graph, first a bit of background information.
TSS = Training Stress Score
It all starts with the Training Stress Score (TSS). Every workout in TrainingPeaks is given a TSS score. This score takes into account the length and intensity of the workout and thus estimates how much stress this workout has put on your body.
To determine the intensity, the threshold values that have been set are used.
Because you can set different thresholds (power, heart rate, speed), there are also different TSS scores.
To get an idea of the TSS scores:
Cycling for 1 hour at your FTP (threshold) will earn you 100 points.
Walking for 1 hour at your turning point will earn you 111 points.
These are the different TSS types:
hrTSS: If your heart rate zones are set, the TSS score will be calculated based on heart rate
rTSS: This is for running only and is calculated if your running training zones are set up based on speed.
TSS: If power zones have been set up for cycling then this is always the priority and the TSS will be calculated based on power.
TSS*: You can also manually enter and/or adjust the TSS score. In this case you will see TSS*. Manual adjustment can be interesting to include core stability training or strength training that are not included in TrainingPeaks in this graph.
The TSS scores are the dots on the Performance Management Chart.
ATL = Fatigue = Acute Training Load
The ATL line on the graph is calculated as a weighted average of the last 7 days and therefore indicates how much you have trained recently. After some heavy training sessions you will see that curve rise very strongly. This parameter can be seen as an indicator of how tired you are after the previous training days.
CTL = Fitness = Chronic Training Load
The CTL line on the graph is the weighted average of the last 42 days. This parameter indicates how much training volume you are processing. If your CTL increases, this means that you are able to process a higher training volume and you are therefore in better shape. The reverse is of course also true if the CTL is in a downward trend.
TSB = Form = Training Stress Balance
At the TSB line on the graph we subtract yesterday's ATL value from yesterday's CTL value. Just because your CTL and/or ATL are high does not mean you are ready to perform at a competition. A negative TSB indicates that you are still too tired to perform optimally. The benefit of tapering in the last weeks before your big competition will then ensure that this value becomes positive on the big day.
The Pitfalls of the Performance Management Chart
It is important to realize that the PMC is a tool, just like many other tools and metrics, that can help you to do the right training or make decisions. But there are also some potential pitfalls that you should also consider:
Stress at home, at work or elsewhere is not included in this graph.
All these parameters are guidelines but there is no value of these parameters that is a guarantee for success. An increasing CTL for example is only relevant if this is done in a healthy way, taking into account the training principles.
In a training period with a high training volume at a low intensity your CTL will increase, but this does not mean that you are ready to compete well at a high intensity.
Outliers may appear on the graph. Always make sure that these values are adjusted and that your training zones are correct.
Also make sure that all workouts are loaded to get a correct display.
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