Before we delve into this lesson in any depth, we need to first clarify some terminology. The terms training stimulus, training effect, training adaptation and training programs are different, but they are interrelated physiological processes. The outcome of the interaction between these variables is a superior performance. And this improved performance then dictates how we manipulate the training stimulus so the athlete keeps improving. So let's take a look at what each of these terms mean. A training stimulus is an exercise stress designed to motivate cells, structures, and physiological functioning of the body to undergo changes so that it operates at a higher capacity. A training effect refers to supercompensation resulting from the training stimulus. Now this term was first coined in the 1960s by Dr. Kenneth Cooper, who is famous for bringing the concept of aerobics to the health and fitness industry. He used the term training effect to describe the positive responses aerobic exercise had on the cardiovascular system. Now, Cooper's use of the term is more analogous to long term training adaptation and not specifically to the super compensation effect. In coaching circles, training effect is used to describe supercompensation that occurs in response to the specific training session stimulus. However, it is also used to refer to the long-term adaptations that can make the use of the term training effect a wee bit confusing. Now, training adaptation refers to the long term changes made in the structures and physiological functioning of the body's cells and organ systems due to training. As I just discussed, you will see training effect used to describe these long term adaptations. The structural and physiological changes depend on the type of repetitive exercise the athlete does during training. A training program is the planned linking of a series of different types of training stimuli with the goal of producing specific supercompensation effects and long-term adaptation. Now together, these four processes lead to a superior performance. As performance improves, the training stimulus must be altered slightly and the cycle begins again.