Physiological and Neuromuscular Responses of Competitive Cyclists during a Simulated Self-Paced Interval Training Session

Abstract

Responses of twelve competitive cyclists performing an interval training session, consisting of three successive 10-min self-paced exercise bouts separated by two 15-min active recovery periods, were studied. Power output (PO), heart rate, pedaling cadence, ventilatory variables, overall ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and electromyographic (EMG) activity of the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, biceps femoris and medial hamstrings were recorded during each exercise bout. Mean PO (p<0.05) decreased significantly across the self-paced bouts, while RPE (p<0.01) increased significantly. PO and EMG activity did not show significant changes between the 3rd and 9th minute of each self-paced bout. Every self-paced bout showed an oxygen uptake (VO(2)) slow component between the 3rd and 9th minute and there was no effect of bout order on the magnitude of the VO(2) slow component. This study reveals that during an interval training session, moderately trained competitive cyclists are able to repeat three 10-min self-paced exercise bouts with only a slight decrease in PO (approximately 3%) and by maintaining unchanged physiological and neuromuscular responses. Moreover, the VO(2) slow component during each exercise bout was not related to changes in muscle activity, as every exercise bout was performed at a muscular work steady state with a constant PO.

Modelling inter-individual variability in acute and adaptive responses to interval training: insights into exercise intensity normalisation

“…Crucially, our data ease concerns about both assumptions. In line with other studies (Villerius et al 2008 ; Seiler and Sylta 2017 ; Nicolò et al 2014 ; Brosnan et al 2000 ), RPE increased quasi-linearly during the self-paced interval training sessions, approaching 20 in the last work interval (see Fig. 1 ).…”

“…Subsequent studies have also identified shortcomings in other traditional methods, namely % max and O 2max /heart rate reserve (Iannetta et al 2020 ; Jamnick et al 2020 ; Mann et al 2013 ; Marini et al 2021 ). Yet, all these methods continue to be used (Vollaard et al 2009 ; Bouchard et al 1999 , 2011 ; Hecksteden et al 2018b ; Coakley and Passfield 2018 ; Bonafiglia et al 2019 ; Montero and Lundby 2017 ; Del Giudice et al 2020 ), most likely due to the limited empirical support for alternative approaches, such as the delta concept, which considers different physiological anchors (Lansley et al 2011 ; McLellan and Skinner 1985 ; Meyler et al 2023 ), critical power modelling (Ferguson et al 2013 ; Jones and Vanhatalo 2017 ; Meyler et al 2023 ), and maximal self-paced intervals (Villerius et al 2008 ; Seiler and Sylta 2017 ; Nicolò et al 2014 ; Brosnan et al 2000 ). Accordingly, the present investigation reveals that prescribing exercise intensity of interval training as 100% max-SP minimises performance variability between individuals compared with 80% max .…”

“…For intensive training, maximal self-paced intervals have been employed as a method of exercise intensity normalisation, both in cross-sectional (Brosnan et al 2000 ; Villerius et al 2008 ; Nicolò et al 2014 ) and longitudinal interventions (Seiler and Sylta 2017 ; Seiler et al 2013 ; Rønnestad et al 2020 ). Frequently described as “ how elite athletes train ” (Brosnan et al 2000 ; Villerius et al 2008 ; Rønnestad et al 2020 ; Seiler et al 2013 ; Seiler and Sylta 2017 ; Nicolò et al 2014 ), this approach is based on the premise that there exists an individualised maximal sustainable work rate for a given interval training format. Provided that work intervals are performed within the very heavy-intensity domain, this concept has precedents in the hyperbolic relationship between work rate and time to exhaustion (Ferguson et al 2013 ; Jones and Vanhatalo 2017 ; Meyler et al 2023 ).…”

Dynamic Pacing Strategies during the Cycle Phase of an Ironman Triathlon

“…Bertucci, W.; Duc, S.; Villerius, V.;Grappe, F. (2005): Validity and reliability of the Axiom PowerTrain cycle ergometer when compared with an SRM powermeter.…”

Test de campo (Tivre Patín) para valorar la cualidad aeróbica del patinador sobre ruedas = Field Test to measure of the quality aerobic skaters on wheels

“…(Lemmink K., y cols., 2004; En este caso, la recuperación es pasiva (en movimiento o inmóvil), la frecuencia cardiaca recupera su valor próximo a 90 -100 lat/min, el corazón no consume el ácido láctico acumulado durante la repetición a alta velocidad. De hecho, una de las ventajas de la recuperación activa es que el miocardio permanece en actividad para una frecuencia cardiaca de 120 -130 lat/min (Villerius V., 2008;Borresen J. y col., 2007;Laursen PB, y cols., 2002).…”