Scientific Reference Guide

THE SCIENCE
BEHIND ATHLETICA

Every calorie target, macro recommendation and training rule in Athletica is grounded in peer-reviewed sport science. This page documents the methodology, the exact formulas and the research that supports them.

18
Documented Methods
30
Cited Sources
0
AI Overrides Possible

Medical Disclaimer. All calculations are general performance coaching guidance for healthy adults — not a substitute for professional medical advice. Users with underlying health conditions should consult a qualified physician or registered dietitian before following any recommendation.

The Architecture

THE ATHLETICA
BRAIN

How creator identity, student data, engine rules and AI work together in every single session.

Athletica Brain

How creator identity, user request, engine rules and AI work together

Creator Identity
Configured once · active always
Coach name · motto · origin story
Intensity · style · language sliders
Catchphrases · forbidden phrases
Session style · protocol timing
User Request
Live context before every session
Body scan · goal · fitness level
Sleep · soreness · energy today
Equipment · injuries · event date
Chat adjustments · mood note
↓
Athletica Engine — deterministic · real-time · cannot be overridden by AI
THE ATHLETICA ENGINE
State-of-the-art training science rules, computed before every AI call
48h muscle lockNo repeat before recovery
Fatigue scoreAuto-deload at threshold
Progressive overloadRPE-driven per exercise
Split rotationPush · Pull · Legs · Core
Equipment filterOnly eligible exercises pass
8-week blueprintVolume · intensity · block type
Session Constraints
Hard rules injected into AI — unbreakable directives
↓
constraints
Athletica AI
Operates inside engine constraints · embodies creator identity · knows every student
Program building
Body analysis
Coaching chat
Cue writing
All outputs voiced through creator personality · personalised to student body + history
↓
Personalised session — delivered to the student
In their coach's voice · built for their body · right for today
Today's workout
Coach motivation
Live coaching chat
Progress report

Feedback loop: Session log updates TrainingState after every completed workout. The engine reads it before the next session. Progressive overload, fatigue accumulation and recovery windows are tracked in code — not in AI memory.

Creator & AI layer
User input & output
Engine rules
Feedback loop

AI Boundaries

FREEDOM INSIDE AN
UNBREAKABLE CAGE.

Athletica AI has genuine freedom to personalise, motivate, adapt and communicate. That freedom operates inside hard-coded sport science constraints that cannot be changed — not by the AI, not by the student, not by the creator.

These limits are not prompt guidelines. The engine removes ineligible options before the AI is called. You cannot persuade the AI to break them — the data it receives has already been filtered. No conversation, however long or convincing, changes this.

✦  What Athletica AI CAN do

+Personalise every message in the creator's voice, style and intensity
+Score and select exercises from the eligible pool using multi-factor ranking
+Motivate, celebrate PRs, address missed sessions, push harder
+Swap exercises via chat — within all engine constraints
+Explain the rationale behind today's session and load targets
+Provide general nutrition guidance aligned to the creator's philosophy

✗  What it CANNOT do — ever

−Select a muscle in its 48-hour recovery window
−Override or cancel a mandated deload session
−Recommend a contraindicated exercise for a declared injury
−Exceed weekly volume caps — the MAV ceiling is absolute
−Skip or reorder the periodisation block sequence
−Provide clinical medical or dietary advice

Nutrition Science

FORMULAS &
CITATIONS

Your daily calorie and macro targets are computed from these formulas, not generated by AI. Logged meals, the meal health score and the body scan are AI estimates: how they work and their sources are in sections 16 and 17.

01

Calorie Target

TDEE & DAILY CALORIE GOAL

Your daily calorie target starts from your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), the energy your body needs at rest, calculated with the Mifflin-St Jeor equation. It is multiplied by an activity factor based on your training minutes per week (sessions × session length), then adjusted for your goal. For fat loss the deficit is moderate and never goes below a safe floor. Each coach can tune these values from their Sport Science panel, but only inside the safe limits shown below, which the engine enforces.

Formulas Used
BMR, maleBMR = (10 × weight_kg) + (6.25 × height_cm) − (5 × age) + 5
BMR, femaleBMR = (10 × weight_kg) + (6.25 × height_cm) − (5 × age) − 161
TDEETDEE = BMR × Activity Factor
Minutes/wksessions per week × session length
< 60 min/wkFactor = 1.375  (lightly active)  · coach range 1.2–1.45
60–179 min/wkFactor = 1.55  (moderately active)  · coach range 1.2–1.6
180–299 min/wkFactor = 1.725  (very active)  · coach range 1.4–1.8
≥ 300 min/wkFactor = 1.9  (extremely active)  · coach range 1.55–1.95
CutTarget = TDEE − deficit, 300 kcal/day by default  (coach can set 100–500)
FloorTarget ≥ 70% of TDEE and ≥ 1,200 kcal (women) / 1,500 kcal (men), never above TDEE
BulkTarget = TDEE + surplus, surplus ≤ 300 kcal/day  (coach can set 100–350)
MaintainTarget = TDEE
Upper limit4,500 kcal/day
02

Protein

PROTEIN TARGET

Protein is calculated from bodyweight, at 1.8 g per kg by default. Coaches can set it between 1.4 and 2.2 g/kg, the evidence-based range for people who do resistance training. Higher intakes help preserve muscle during a calorie deficit.

Formula Used
ProteinProtein (g) = weight_kg × 1.8  (coach range 1.4–2.2)
Safety range60 – 220 g/day
03

Fat

FAT TARGET

Fat is set at 25% of total daily calorie target — within the 20–35% range recommended for active adults by ACSM and USDA.

Formula Used
FatFat (g) = (Target kcal × 0.25) ÷ 9
Atwater factorFat = 9 kcal/g
Safety range40 – 100 g/day
04

Carbohydrates

CARBOHYDRATE TARGET

Carbohydrates fill the remaining calories after protein and fat are allocated. This prioritises protein and fat targets while keeping carbs flexible and aligned to energy needs.

Formula Used
CarbsCarbs (g) = (Target kcal − Protein kcal − Fat kcal) ÷ 4
Protein kcalProtein (g) × 4
Fat kcalFat (g) × 9
Atwater factorsProtein = 4 kcal/g  ·  Fat = 9 kcal/g  ·  Carbs = 4 kcal/g
Safety range50 – 400 g/day

Training Science

ENGINE RULES &
SPORT SCIENCE

Beyond nutrition, the Athletica Engine enforces these rules before every session. The AI operates inside them and cannot override them.

05

Safety Rule

48-HOUR MUSCLE RECOVERY LOCK

No muscle group trained in the previous 48 hours is assigned as a primary mover. Enforced in code before the AI is called — cannot be overridden by any instruction or conversation.

Rule Logic
BLOCKED ifhours_since_last_session < 48  OR  muscle ∈ lastMusclesHit
ELIGIBLE ifhours_since_last_session ≥ 48  AND  muscle ∉ lastMusclesHit
06

Progression Rule

RPE-DRIVEN PROGRESSIVE OVERLOAD

After every session, the student rates their exertion (RPE 1–10). The engine computes the next load target from this — not the AI. The AI receives it as a directive it cannot deviate from.

Load Targets by RPE
RPE ≤ 6.0Next load = last load × 1.05  [or +3 reps if bodyweight]
RPE ≤ 7.5Next load = last load + 2.5 kg  [or +1 rep if bodyweight]
RPE ≤ 8.5Next load = last load,  reps + 1
RPE > 8.5Next load = last load,  reps unchanged  [consolidate]
1RM estimate1RM ≈ load × (1 + reps ÷ 30)  (Epley formula)
Zourdos et al. (2016)
Novel Resistance Training-Specific Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale Measuring Repetitions in Reserve
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 30(1)
doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001049 ↗
07

Fatigue Rule

FATIGUE SCORE & AUTOMATIC DELOAD

Systemic fatigue accumulates from session RPE, volume and density. When it exceeds a threshold, a deload is automatically mandated — 40% volume reduction, no load increase. The AI cannot cancel it.

Fatigue & Deload Logic
AccumulationfatigueScore += session_RPE × volume_factor × density_factor
RangefatigueScore clamped to 1.0 – 10.0
IntermediateDeload mandated if fatigueScore > 7.5
AdvancedDeload mandated if fatigueScore > 8.0
Deload volumenormal volume × 0.60  (40% reduction)
Meeusen et al. (2013) — ECSS/ACSM Joint Consensus Statement
Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the overtraining syndrome
European Journal of Sport Science, 13(1)
doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2012.730061 ↗
08

Volume Rule

WEEKLY VOLUME — MEV & MAV

Athletica tracks weekly sets per muscle group and enforces a floor (Minimum Effective Volume) and a ceiling (Maximum Adaptive Volume). Below MEV the muscle is under-stimulated. Above MAV the body cannot adapt positively — additional volume becomes junk volume that increases injury risk.

Volume Tracking & Enforcement
AccumulationweeklyMuscleSets[muscle] += sets_assigned_this_session
Below MEVMuscle flagged as priority → engine increases assignment
MEV ≤ sets ≤ MAVNormal zone — standard assignment
Above MAVMuscle blocked from additional sets this week
Major musclesMEV ≈ 6–10 sets/wk  ·  MAV ≈ 16–22 sets/wk
Minor musclesMEV ≈ 4–6 sets/wk   ·  MAV ≈ 12–16 sets/wk
ResetweeklyMuscleSets = 0 at start of each training week
09

Structure Rule

SPLIT ROTATION

Today's target muscles are determined by a structured training split that rotates automatically after each session. The split is assigned by the engine — the AI receives it as a directive and cannot reorder or skip days.

Split Assignment Logic
Day indexsplitDayIndex = (splitDayIndex + 1) mod split.length  after each session
3 days/wkFull Body × 3
3–4 days/wkUpper / Lower
4 days/wkPush / Pull / Legs / Core
Fat loss goalFat Loss Circuit — metabolic conditioning format
Mobility goalMobility Flow — low intensity, controlled movement
AI receives"Today is a Push day" — as unbreakable directive
Schoenfeld et al. (2015)
Influence of Resistance Training Frequency on Muscular Adaptations in Well-Trained Men
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 29(7)
doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000000970 ↗
10

Periodisation Rule

8-WEEK PERIODISATION BLUEPRINT

A complete 8-week macro training plan is generated at program start and stored as a structured blueprint. Each week has a defined block type, volume percentage, intensity percentage and priority muscles. The engine reads this blueprint every session and injects the current week's directives. The AI cannot jump weeks, skip deload weeks or operate outside the current block type.

Blueprint Structure per Week
Week blueprint{ block_type, volume_pct, intensity_pct, priority_muscles, coach_note }
Block sequenceFoundation → Hypertrophy → Strength → Power → Deload
Foundationvolume_pct = 60%  ·  intensity_pct = 55%
Hypertrophyvolume_pct = 85%  ·  intensity_pct = 70%
Strengthvolume_pct = 75%  ·  intensity_pct = 85%
Powervolume_pct = 65%  ·  intensity_pct = 95%
Deloadvolume_pct = 40%  ·  intensity_pct = 60%  ·  no load increase
Sets this sessionmax_sets = base_sets × (volume_pct ÷ 100)
11

Onboarding Rule

GOAL FEASIBILITY ENGINE

When a student declares a weight-loss goal, Athletica runs a pure mathematical assessment of what is achievable with their stated plan and presents three honest options. This is computed deterministically — not generated by AI. The student sees the maths, not just the answer.

Feasibility Computation
Weekly lossweekly_fat_loss_kg = (daily_deficit × 7) ÷ 7,700
Weeks to goalweeks_to_goal = fat_to_lose_kg ÷ weekly_fat_loss_kg
Option ASolve for sessions/week needed to hit goal in target weeks
Option BProject actual result with current plan and timeline
Option CSolve for weeks needed at current commitment level
Energy density7,700 kcal/kg adipose tissue  (EFSA reference value)
12

Session Metric

CALORIE EXPENDITURE ESTIMATION

Session calorie burn is estimated from exercise-specific MET-derived coefficients scaled to the student's actual body weight. Each exercise in the library carries three coefficients computed at creation time. These are estimates — individual metabolic rates vary.

Per-Exercise Calorie Estimation
Rep-basedkcal = caloriesPerRep × reps_completed × (bodyweight_kg ÷ 75)
Timedkcal = caloriesPerSecond × duration_s × (bodyweight_kg ÷ 75)
Distancekcal = caloriesPerMetre × distance_m × (bodyweight_kg ÷ 75)
Session totalsession_kcal = Σ (kcal per exercise across all sets)
Reference body75 kg  (WHO/EFSA standard reference)
Ainsworth et al. (2011)
Compendium of Physical Activities: a second update of codes and MET values
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 43(8)  ·  The standard reference for exercise energy expenditure
doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e31821ece12 ↗
13

Daily Adaptation

READINESS ASSESSMENT

Before each session, students report sleep quality, soreness and energy on a 1–5 scale. These are assembled into a ReadinessSnapshot that influences session intensity. Subjective readiness metrics are validated by the literature as reliable training load management tools — this is how Athletica adapts to the student's actual day, not just their program week.

Readiness Computation
Inputssleep (1–5)  ·  soreness (1–5)  ·  energy (1–5)
Averagereadiness_avg = (sleep + soreness + energy) ÷ 3
avg ≥ 4.0High readiness → standard or increased session volume
3.0 ≤ avg < 4.0Moderate readiness → standard session
avg < 3.0Low readiness → volume reduced · AI notified via SessionConstraints
DefaultModerate assumed if readiness not reported
Saw et al. (2016)
Monitoring the athlete training response: subjective self-reported measures trump commonly used objective measures: a systematic review
British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50(5), 281-291  ·  Subjective well-being measures track training load better than common objective markers
doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2015-094758 ↗
14

Nutrition Tab

ACTIVE BURN ESTIMATE

The weekly active burn shown on the Nutrition tab estimates the calories spent in training from your weekly training minutes, your body weight and the average energy cost of a mixed strength and circuit session. It is an estimate: individual metabolic rates vary.

How it is calculated
kcal/minkcal/min = MET × 3.5 × weight_kg ÷ 200  (ACSM metabolic equation)
Session MET5.5  (between resistance training, 8-15 reps = 3.5 and vigorous circuit training = 8.0)
Active burnkcal/week = days/week × minutes/session × kcal/min
Example75 kg adult ≈ 7.2 kcal/min
15

Nutrition Tab

PROTEIN TOP-UP

When the planned meals of the day fall short of your protein target, the gap is shown with an equivalent in protein servings. A supplement is a convenient option, not a requirement: protein-rich foods such as Greek yogurt, eggs or cottage cheese cover the same gap.

How it is calculated
Gapgap_g = protein_target_g − protein_in_planned_meals_g
Shown ifgap_g > 10 g  and goal = muscle gain
Servingsservings = ceil(gap_g ÷ 25)  (1 scoop of whey ≈ 25 g protein)
16

Food Scanner · AI estimate

MEAL SCANNER & HEALTH SCORE

When you log a meal with a photo or a description, Athletica AI recognises each food and estimates its weight. Calories and macros come from standard food composition reference values, and calories are checked with the Atwater factors. Every weight can be corrected by the user. The health score from 1 to 10 follows the World Health Organization healthy diet guidance and the NOVA classification of ultra-processed foods. It is general information, not medical or dietary advice.

How it is calculated
Per foodkcal, protein, carbs, fat for the estimated weight, from USDA FoodData Central / ANSES Ciqual values
Consistencykcal ≈ 4 × protein_g + 4 × carbs_g + 9 × fat_g  (Atwater factors)
Health score upprotein, fibre, fruit, vegetables, legumes, whole grains
Health score downadded sugars, salt, saturated or trans fat, deep frying, ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4)
Accuracyphoto estimates can be off by 20-30%: the user can edit every weight
17

Body Scan · AI estimate

BODY SCAN ESTIMATE

Athletica AI looks at your photo and gives a visual estimate of body composition. It is not a measurement: methods such as DXA or bioimpedance are needed for that, and the app always shows this disclaimer next to the figures. The estimated body fat is compared with the healthy ranges published for adults and is used only to personalise training.

How it is calculated
Inputone photo, analysed by Athletica AI
Outputestimated body fat % and muscle mass %, shown as estimates
Used forprogram emphasis
Not used forany diagnosis or medical decision
18

Onboarding

BODY MASS INDEX (BMI)

During onboarding the app shows your BMI with its World Health Organization category for adults. The same thresholds apply to men and women. BMI is only a screening measure: it does not tell muscle from fat, so muscular and athletic people often score above 25. It is one input among others and never a diagnosis.

How it is calculated
BMIBMI = weight_kg ÷ height_m²
< 18.5Underweight
18.5 - 24.9Healthy weight
25 - 29.9Overweight (pre-obesity)
≥ 30Obesity

COMPLETE REFERENCE LIST

All citations alphabetically. Click any link to access the source.

1.
ACSM (2009). Position stand: Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 41(3), 687-708. doi.org ↗
2.
ACSM (2022). Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 11th Ed. acsm.org ↗
3.
Ainsworth et al. (2011). 2011 Compendium of Physical Activities: a second update of codes and MET values. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 43(8), 1575-1581. doi.org ↗
4.
ANSES. Ciqual French food composition table. ciqual.anses.fr ↗
5.
EFSA (2012). Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for protein. EFSA Journal, 10(2), 2557. doi.org ↗
6.
FAO (2003). Food energy: methods of analysis and conversion factors. FAO Food and Nutrition Paper 77. fao.org ↗
7.
Frankenfield, Roth-Yousey & Compher (2005). Comparison of predictive equations for resting metabolic rate in healthy nonobese and obese adults: a systematic review. J Am Diet Assoc, 105(5), 775-789. doi.org ↗
8.
Gallagher et al. (2000). Healthy percentage body fat ranges: an approach for developing guidelines based on body mass index. Am J Clin Nutr, 72(3), 694-701. doi.org ↗
9.
Garber et al. (2011). Quantity and Quality of Exercise for Developing and Maintaining Cardiorespiratory, Musculoskeletal, and Neuromotor Fitness in Apparently Healthy Adults (ACSM). Med Sci Sports Exerc, 43(7), 1334-1359. doi.org ↗
10.
Hall (2008). What is the required energy deficit per unit weight loss? Int J Obes, 32(3), 573-576. doi.org ↗
11.
Hall et al. (2011). Quantification of the effect of energy imbalance on bodyweight. The Lancet, 378(9793), 826-837. doi.org ↗
12.
Helms et al. (2014). A systematic review of dietary protein during caloric restriction in resistance trained lean athletes: a case for higher intakes. IJSNEM, 24(2), 127-138. doi.org ↗
13.
Israetel et al. (2019). Scientific Principles of Strength Training. Renaissance Periodization. rpstrength.com ↗
14.
Jäger et al. (2017). International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: protein and exercise. J Int Soc Sports Nutr, 14, 20. doi.org ↗
15.
Jensen et al. (2014). 2013 AHA/ACC/TOS Guideline for the Management of Overweight and Obesity in Adults. Circulation, 129(25 Suppl 2). doi.org ↗
16.
MacDougall et al. (1995). The time course for elevated muscle protein synthesis following heavy resistance exercise. Can J Appl Physiol, 20(4), 480-486. doi.org ↗
17.
Meeusen et al. (2013). Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the overtraining syndrome (ECSS/ACSM). Eur J Sport Sci, 13(1), 1-24. doi.org ↗
18.
Mifflin et al. (1990). A new predictive equation for resting energy expenditure in healthy individuals. Am J Clin Nutr, 51(2), 241-247. doi.org ↗
19.
Monteiro et al. (2019). Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them. Public Health Nutr, 22(5), 936-941. doi.org ↗
20.
Rhea & Alderman (2004). A meta-analysis of periodized versus nonperiodized strength and power training programs. Res Q Exerc Sport, 75(4), 413-422. doi.org ↗
21.
Saw, Main & Gastin (2016). Monitoring the athlete training response: subjective self-reported measures trump commonly used objective measures: a systematic review. Br J Sports Med, 50(5), 281-291. doi.org ↗
22.
Schoenfeld et al. (2015). Influence of Resistance Training Frequency on Muscular Adaptations in Well-Trained Men. J Strength Cond Res, 29(7), 1821-1829. doi.org ↗
23.
Schoenfeld, Ogborn & Krieger (2017). Dose-response relationship between weekly resistance training volume and increases in muscle mass: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sports Sci, 35(11), 1073-1082. doi.org ↗
24.
Thomas, Erdman & Burke (2016). ACSM/AND/DC Joint Position Statement: Nutrition and Athletic Performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 48(3), 543-568. doi.org ↗
25.
USDA & HHS (2020). Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025. dietaryguidelines.gov ↗
26.
USDA ARS. FoodData Central. fdc.nal.usda.gov ↗
27.
World Health Organization (2000). Obesity: preventing and managing the global epidemic. WHO Technical Report Series 894. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
28.
World Health Organization. Healthy diet, fact sheet. who.int ↗
29.
World Health Organization. Obesity and overweight, fact sheet. who.int ↗
30.
Zourdos et al. (2016). Novel Resistance Training-Specific Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale Measuring Repetitions in Reserve. J Strength Cond Res, 30(1), 267-275. doi.org ↗