Training Blocks

The training blocks tool gives you the ability to arrange future records of an event form across a block of time and configure each record specifically. The purpose of this is to implement structured training easily. An important component of this tool is the ability to build training blocks that take into account volume and intensity. If the event form is one that calculates users’ effort or productivity in some way, a training block can be planned so that this effort or productivity increases, decreases or cycles according to each person’s performance characteristics.

Once a training block is built, it can be applied to multiple user accounts at different times. This means that the copied and configured records are added to a person’s calendar and performance history as future events. As the period of time that the training block has been applied to is reached and completed, people can fill out (using the calendar or schedule tools to click through to the event form) and save the updated record. This completes a series of records which reflect their performance throughout the training block. Their actual performance could then be measured against the level of performance that was planned for them.

View a training block in the calendar

In this example, you can see that a training block (based on a strength training form) has been applied to the athlete and shows up on their calendar. The screenshot shows records for the weekdays over a three-week period. This is because the training block uses a 14-day cycle with events for days 1, 3, and 5.

Stop or delete a training block

If you delete a training block, Smartabase will remove any unmodified records (past and future) created from that training block. If an athlete or coach has updated or edited a record in any way, it won’t be affected by the deletion of a training block. When you use the stop function for a training block, Smartabase will remove unmodified future records, leaving any past records intact.

Create and edit a training block

You need to use the Smartabase web application to create a training block. You’ll also need to have the training blocks permission in your role so that you’re able to access the training blocks tool.

Steps to create a training block

1. Log in to the Smartabase web application to view your home page.
2. Select the training blocks tool.
3. Choose Create new training block from the Options drop-down at the top of the page.
   • Choose a name for the training block.
   • Choose which event form will be used as the template for the training block.
   • Specify the number of cycle repeats.
   • Specify the cycle length (in days).
   • Choose the block days.
4. Click Save.
   • If the event form you are using contains a table, go on to choose the number of table rows you want to include in a session (one day).
5. Enter the data you want to be part of the training block (prescribed values).
6. Click Save and close to return to the training blocks page.
7. Apply your training block to the appropriate users.

Steps to edit a training block

1. Log in to the Smartabase web application to view your home page.
2. Select the training blocks tool.
3. Select the Edit button for one of your existing training blocks.
4. Make any modifications you require.
5. Save the updated training block.
6. Use the Save and close button to return to the training blocks page.
7. Apply the training block to the appropriate users.

Note that when you click Fill Down, a pop-up screen appears with options for whether you want to copy the cell contents or the contents of the entire row. When selecting the option to copy an entire row you are also able to specify which row (or rows) you want to copy and which rows you want to copy them to. This is different to how Fill Down works when filling out a table in a record for a person but the same as how Fill Down works in group entry mode.