Specificity of Training doctrine tells us that sports training should be relevant to the activity for which the individual is training in order to produce a maximal effect. Individuals looking to gain aerobic fitness must train aerobically. Why does an increase in the size and number of mitochondria result from aerobic endurance training?

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Mitochondria help the muscle to produce ATP, therefore an increase in the size and number of mitochondria improve a muscle's ability to use oxygen and produce ATP. With aerobic endurance training, the body has a greater energy requirement; therefore, an increase in mitochondria will help fulfill this requirement. Interestingly, it is not enough for individuals who wish to become runners (for example) to train aerobically; individuals looking to become better runners must run. The specificity of training doctrine tells us that it is not enough to generically train; the body creates in direct proportion to demand. "Specificity" trains the body by demanding exactly what will be required during the actual performance of any task.

Specificity of Training Doctrine Tells Us That Sports Training Should