mesocykl

A mesocykl (English: mesocycle) is a middle-term block in a periodized training program, typically lasting several weeks, designed to elicit a specific adaptation. It sits between the macrocycle (the overall season) and the microcycle (the weekly or daily training units).

The mesocycle organizes training variables—volume, intensity, and frequency—to progressively drive adaptation. Common durations range from 4 to 12 weeks, though longer or shorter blocks are used depending on sport, goals, and competition schedule. Many programs use a series of mesocycles within a macrocycle to shift emphasis over time, such as base endurance, hypertrophy, strength, and peaking.

Within a mesocycle, workouts are arranged into phases or blocks: accumulation, intensification, and realization or peaking. Accumulation emphasizes higher volume and technique work, intensification increases intensity with reduced volume, and realization focuses on competition-specific readiness. Deload weeks may be inserted to manage fatigue.

Planning considerations include individual differences, sport demands, and recovery. Progression is gradual, with planned overload and periodic reassessment. In team and individual sports, mesocycles may be aligned with competition calendars and integrated with other training aims such as skill development.

Etymology and usage: the prefix meso- means middle; in Polish, mesocykl refers to this middle-term training block, while in English the term mesocycle is used. See also macrocycle, microcycle, and periodization.