Periodisation is key to ensuring the athlete peaks for their main competitions. According to Bompa and Carrera (2005), reactive power, power endurance and muscular endurance are the key sport specific strength components in boxing and therefore should be the main priority within a periodised plan. Periodisation also helps prevent over training, thus reducing the risk of injury and premature fatigue. England Boxing teach components of fitness when designing their periodised plan, highlighting key areas coaches / boxers should be concentrating on during the season. For example the training season should start with strength training. As shown below in the periodised plan, strength training is of high emphasis during the recovery and pre season phases allowing the muscles to recover between workouts. Skills training and other components of fitness are reduced during this time, allowing for the adaptation of strength / hypertrophy to take place. Strength training elicits both a neural and muscular response, causing an adaptation in the muscle structure. Adaptations have been shown to take place in the early stages of a new resistance training programme, with increases in muscle activation, motor unit synchronisation, and antagonist co-activation all taking place (Schoenfeld, 2016). ​Hypertrophy (increase in size) of the muscle takes place after 4 to 6 weeks of training, during this phase muscle contractile elements enlarge and the extracellular matrix expands to support growth (Schoenfeld, 2016). The action of resistance training also has a positive effect on the endocrine system increasing growth hormone and testosterone production. 

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Once a boxer has built their foundation in strength, it is possible for them to convert the new strength into power and speed through specific component training (see the SAQ and Power pages for example of exercises). However, without this strength foundation, boxers will find it difficult to see improvements in the other components later in the season.  One issue with the England Boxing model is that it does not allow the boxer to peak earlier in the season as the emphasis is all based on competitions between February and May.