Abstract: Functional training has been introduced into the field of sports training to enhance athletes' competitive ability, avoid injuries and meet the challenges of professionalization of competitive sports, which has enriched the training system of competitive sports, but also led to new theoretical and practical problems. The concept and content of functional training are systematically analyzed and examined, and the future path of functional training and traditional training is proposed. The study finds that: 1) The connotation and denotation of functional training are in disagreement, which is reflected in the dilution of the core connotation, the repetition of the denotation, and the inappropriate separation between the two; 2) Theoretical dilemmas and challenges have arisen after the introduction of functional training into athletic training. The main manifestations are the misalignment between functional training and traditional training concepts, the logical overlap with the classical athletic training theory structure, and the conceptual transmutation, the practical shift and the value generalization in the theory development. These problems indicate that the current "functional−traditional" training concepts, theories and applications are in the wrong zone, and should go beyond the simple "dichotomy" to form a multidimensional development path of convergence between training theories. The paths include: 1) concept-orientation, the construction of "synergistic and complementary" sports training theory system; 2) system integration, the design of "multi-point force" of the content and method library; 3) risk monitoring, the formation of "interconnection and integration” load management and functional screening.