Effects of Sprint versus High-Intensity Aerobic Interval Training on Cross-Country Mountain Biking Performance: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

ObjectivesThe current study compared the effects of high-intensity aerobic training (HIT) and sprint interval training (SIT) on mountain biking (MTB) race simulation performance and physiological variables, including peak power output (PPO), lactate threshold (LT) and onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA).MethodsSixteen mountain bikers (mean ± SD: age 32.1 ± 6.4 yr, body mass 69.2 ± 5.3 kg and VO2max 63.4 ± 4.5 mL∙kg-1∙min-1) completed graded exercise and MTB performance tests before and after six weeks of training. The HIT (7–10 x [4–6 min—highest sustainable intensity / 4–6 min—CR100 10–15]) and SIT (8–12 x [30 s—all-out intensity / 4 min—CR100 10–15]) protocols were included in the participants’ regular training programs three times per week.ResultsPost-training analysis showed no significant differences between training modalities (HIT vs. SIT) in body mass, PPO, LT or OBLA (p = 0.30 to 0.94). The Cohen’s d effect size (ES) showed trivial to small effects on group factor (p = 0.00 to 0.56). The interaction between MTB race time and training modality was almost significant (p = 0.08), with a smaller ES in HIT vs. SIT training (ES = -0.43). A time main effect (pre- vs. post-phases) was observed in MTB race performance and in several physiological variables (p = 0.001 to 0.046). Co-variance analysis revealed that the HIT (p = 0.043) group had significantly better MTB race performance measures than the SIT group. Furthermore, magnitude-based inferences showed HIT to be of likely greater benefit (83.5%) with a lower probability of harmful effects (0.8%) compared to SIT.ConclusionThe results of the current study suggest that six weeks of either HIT or SIT may be effective at increasing MTB race performance; however, HIT may be a preferable strategy.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT01944865

On‐field prediction vs monitoring of aerobic capacity markers using submaximal lactate and heart rate measures

“…Lactate thresholds measured during a single graded incremental exercise test are aerobic capacity markers broadly used among sport scientists to assess the physiological capacity of athletes and prescribe endurance training . Fixed blood lactate concentration (FBLC) thresholds, such as the running speeds associated with 3 mmol·L −1 (S3mM) and 4 mmol·L −1 (S4mM, also termed OBLA), are often preferred over other lactate thresholds . FBLC thresholds, indeed, (a) reduce the time and cost of the assessment procedure; (b) are measurable both individually in laboratory settings and in several athletes at the same time in field settings; (c) are feasible procedures to incorporate into the training monitoring of competitive athletes; (d) are related to muscle fiber type distribution and capillary density; (e) are highly reproducible; (f) unlike other lactate thresholds, are usually easy to determine; and (g) predict running performance as well as or better than other lactate thresholds .…”

“…1 Fixed blood lactate concentration (FBLC) thresholds, such as the running speeds associated with 3 mmol·L −1 (S3mM) and 4 mmol·L −1 (S4mM, also termed OBLA), are often preferred over other lactate thresholds. [2][3][4][5] FBLC thresholds, indeed, (a) reduce the time and cost of the assessment procedure 3 ; (b) are measurable both individually in laboratory settings and in several athletes at the same time in field settings 6 ; (c) are feasible procedures to incorporate into the training monitoring of competitive athletes 5 ; (d) are related to muscle fiber type distribution and capillary density 7 ; (e) are highly reproducible 8 ; (f) unlike other lactate thresholds, are usually easy to determine 9 ; and (g) predict running performance as well as or better than other lactate thresholds. 10 Determination of FBLC thresholds, however, is an invasive procedure requiring qualified personnel to perform several blood sample extractions per subject, plus the subsequent blood analysis.…”

Acute Effects of Different Intervals Between Repeated Sprints on Performance Responses in Amateur Futsal Athletes

“…On the other hand, interventions using sprints can also be great strategies for improving autonomic function [24,25], cardiac function through better chemical reactions [21] and structural [22] in addition to cardiopulmonary improvements [4]. Studies have found that sprint interventions can also be a great option for improving the performance evaluated through mountain bike race simulation [9] and several other tests such as squat jump, countermovement jump, sprinting speed (5,10 , 20 and 30m), change of direction and speed tests [23].…”

“…RST is applied with short stimuli (~ 3 to 7 s duration) and with passive recovery of up to 60 seconds [8] . For sprint interventions (SIT or RST), the stimuli are at maximum or supramaximum levels of physiological [9] or perceptual parameters [10]. However, both sprint variations are efficient for different purposes [11,12].…”

Physiological and anthropometric characteristics of top-level youth cross-country cyclists

“…Cross-country mountain biking (XCO) is an endurance discipline that in recent years has received significant attention from scientific literature. Indeed an increasing number of studies have been published regarding physiological demands of competitions and characteristics of the best XCO cyclists (Impellizzeri & Marcora, 2007;Impellizzeri, Sassi, Rodriguez-Alonso, Mognoni, & Marcora, 2002;Lee, Martin, Anson, Grundy, & Hahn, 2002;Stapelfeldt, Schwirtz, Schumacher, & Hillebrecht, 2004), as well as optimal training approach for this kind of cycling performance (Inoue et al, 2016).…”