Shedding fatigue before competition
A taper is a planned reduction in training load in the days or weeks before a competition, intended to clear accumulated fatigue while preserving fitness so performance peaks on the day. Volume is typically the main lever, often cut substantially while intensity is largely maintained to keep the trained qualities sharp. The same overall reduction can be delivered in different shapes.
Linear tapers reduce load steadily, exponential tapers drop load quickly then level off (or the reverse, depending on the curve), and step tapers cut to a new lower level and hold it.
Why the shape matters
The shapes deliver the recovery differently over time, which can change how fatigue dissipates relative to fitness. Reviews of endurance and strength athletes have often found progressive, exponential-style tapers favorable, but results vary by sport and individual, so the best shape is not universal.
Practical use
Taper length and depth depend on the prior training load, the event, and how an athlete responds, and they are usually rehearsed before they matter. This is general educational information about competition preparation, not medical advice.