Multimode exercise has been employed for centuries to enhance physical fitness. In recent times, the term 'cross-training' has been widely used to describe multimode activity. Cross-training is of benefit to the previously sedentary as it provides a basis for the development of physical fitness whilst reducing boredom and encouraging adherence to the exercise programme. For elite athletes, exercise which is sports specific results in the greatest improvements in performance in that sport. Nevertheless, cross-training can provide a good way of intensifying training whilst limiting the risk of injury. In addition, cross-training is often the best form of rehabilitation and of maintaining fitness during recovery from injury. Cross-training is examined here from two perspectives: first, that of health-related fitness, talking account of recent academic statements on the minimum exercise requirements for health and that for fitness; second, from the view of the competitive athlete with respect to traditional training principles and recent research evidence.
