Which of the following is NOT a benefit of tapering?

Tapering is a strategy used by athletes to enhance performance prior to a competition by reducing training volume while maintaining intensity. The purpose of tapering includes several physiological and psychological benefits that prepare the athlete for peak performance.

The option stating "Increased training volume" is not a benefit of tapering, as the core concept of tapering involves decreasing the overall training load. This reduction allows the athlete’s body to recover from previous intense training sessions, leading to beneficial adaptations.

The benefits associated with tapering include the repair of muscle micro-trauma, which occurs during heavy training, allowing muscles to heal and grow stronger. Heightened enzyme activity is also a benefit, as the reduced training load can optimize various metabolic processes. Additionally, psychological refreshment is crucial, as tapering helps alleviate mental fatigue and stresses associated with continuous rigorous training, enabling the athlete to feel revitalized and focused leading into competition.

Thus, recognizing that increased training volume contradicts the fundamental principles of tapering clarifies why this option does not align with the benefits associated with the tapering process.