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Purpose This study investigated the effects of including sprints within low-intensity training (LIT) sessions during a 14-d training camp focusing on LIT, followed by 10-d recovery (Rec), on performance and performance-related measures in elite cyclists. Methods During the camp, a sprint training group (SPR; n = 9) included 12 × 30-s maximal sprints during five LIT sessions, whereas a control group (CON; n = 9) performed distance-matched LIT only. Training load was equally increased in both groups by 48% ± 27% during the training camp and subsequently decreased by −56% ± 23% during the recovery period compared with habitual training. Performance tests were conducted before the training camp (Pre) and after Rec. Muscle biopsies, hematological measures, and stress/recovery questionnaires were collected Pre and after the camp (Post). Results Thirty-second sprint (SPR vs CON: 4% ± 4%, P < 0.01) and 5-min mean power (SPR vs CON: 4% ± 8%, P = 0.04) changed differently between groups. In muscle, Na+-K+ β1 protein content changed differently between groups, decreasing in CON compared with SPR (−8% ± 14%, P = 0.04), whereas other proteins showed similar changes. SPR and CON displayed similar increases in red blood cell volume (SPR: 2.6% ± 4.7%, P = 0.07; CON: 3.9% ± 4.5%, P = 0.02) and V˙O2 at 4 mmol·L−1 [BLa−] (SPR: 2.5% ± 3.3%, P = 0.03; CON: 2.2% ± 3.0%, P = 0.04). No changes were seen for V˙O2max, Wmax, hematological measures, muscle enzyme activity, and stress/recovery measures. Conclusions Inclusion of 30-s sprints within LIT sessions during a high-volume training camp affected competition-relevant performance measures and Na+-K+ β1 protein content differently from LIT only, without affecting sport-specific stress/recovery or any other physiological measure in elite cyclists.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 12 weeks load-matched block periodization (BP, n = 14), using weekly concentration of high- (HIT), moderate- (MIT), and low- (LIT) intensity training, with traditional periodization (TP, n = 16) using a weekly, cyclic progressive increase in training load of HIT-, MIT-, and LIT-sessions in trained cyclists (peak oxygen uptake: 58 ± 8 ml·kg−1·min−1). Red blood cell volume increased 10 ± 16% (p = 0.029) more in BP compared to TP, while capillaries around type I fibers increased 20 ± 12% (p = 0.002) more in TP compared to BP from Pre to Post12. No other group differences were found in time-trial (TT) performances or muscular-, or hematological adaptations. However, both groups improved 5 and 40-min TT power by 9 ± 9% (p p max) and power output (PO) at 4 mmol·L−1 blood lactate (W4mmol), by 6 ± 7 (p = 0.001) and 10 ± 12% (p = 0.001), and gross efficiency (GE) in a semi-fatigued state by 0.5 ± 1.1%-points (p = 0.026). In contrast, GE in fresh state and VO2peak were unaltered in both groups. The muscle protein content of β-hydroxyacyl (HAD) increased by 55 ± 58% in TP only, while both TP and BP increased the content of cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV (COXIV) by 72 ± 34%. Muscle enzyme activities of citrate synthase (CS) and phosphofructokinase (PFK) were unaltered. TP increased capillary-to-fiber ratio and capillary around fiber (CAF) type I by 36 ± 15% (p p = 0.025), respectively, while BP increased capillary density (CD) by 28 ± 24% (p = 0.048) from Pre to Post12. The present study shows no difference in performance between BP and “best practice”-TP of endurance training intensities using a cyclic, progressively increasing training load in trained cyclists. However, hematological and muscle capillary adaptations may differ.

Although the ability to sprint repeatedly is crucial in road cycling races, the changes in aerobic and anaerobic power when sprinting during prolonged cycling has not been investigated in competitive elite cyclists. Here, we used the gross efficiency (GE)-method to investigate: (1) the absolute and relative aerobic and anaerobic contributions during 3 × 30-s sprints included each hour during a 3-h low-intensity training (LIT)-session by 12 cyclists, and (2) how the energetic contribution during 4 × 30-s sprints is affected by a 14-d high-volume training camp with (SPR,n= 9) or without (CON,n= 9) inclusion of sprints in LIT-sessions. The aerobic power was calculated based on GE determined before, after sprints, or the average of the two, while the anaerobic power was calculated by subtracting the aerobic power from the total power output. When repeating 30-s sprints, the mean power output decreased with each sprint (p< 0.001, ES:0.6–1.1), with the majority being attributed to a decrease in mean anaerobic power (first vs. second sprint: −36 ± 15 W,p< 0.001, ES:0.7, first vs. third sprint: −58 ± 16 W,p< 0.001, ES:1.0). Aerobic power only decreased during the third sprint (first vs. third sprint: −17 ± 5 W,p< 0.001, ES:0.7, second vs. third sprint: 16 ± 5 W,p< 0.001, ES:0.8). Mean power output was largely maintained between sets (first set: 786 ± 30 W vs. second set: 783 ± 30 W,p= 0.917, ES:0.1, vs. third set: 771 ± 30 W,p= 0.070, ES:0.3). After a 14-d high-volume training camp, mean power output during the 4 × 30-s sprints increased on average 25 ± 14 W in SPR (p< 0.001, ES:0.2), which was 29 ± 20 W more than CON (p= 0.008, ES: 0.3). In SPR, mean anaerobic power and mean aerobic power increased by 15 ± 13 W (p= 0.026, ES:0.2) and by 9 ± 6 W (p= 0.004, ES:0.2), respectively, while both were unaltered in CON. In conclusion, moderate decreases in power within sets of repeated 30-s sprints are primarily due to a decrease in anaerobic power and to a lesser extent in aerobic power. However, the repeated sprint-ability (multiple sets) and corresponding energetic contribution are maintained during prolonged cycling in elite cyclists. Including a small number of sprints in LIT-sessions during a 14-d training camp improves sprint-ability mainly through improved anaerobic power.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of including repeated sprints in a weekly low-intensity (LIT) session during a 3-week transition period on cycling performance 6 weeks into the subsequent preparatory period (PREP) in elite cyclists. Methods: Eleven elite male cyclists (age = 22.0 [3.8] y, body mass = 73.0 [5.8] kg, height = 186 [7] cm, maximal oxygen uptake [VO2max] = 5469 [384] mL·min−1) reduced their training load by 64% and performed only LIT sessions (CON, n = 6) or included 3 sets of 3 × 30-second maximal sprints in a weekly LIT session (SPR, n = 5) during a 3-week transition period. There was no difference in the reduction in training load during the transition period between groups. Physiological and performance measures were compared between the end of the competitive period and 6 weeks into the PREP. Results: SPR demonstrated a 7.3% (7.2%) improvement in mean power output during a 20-minute all-out test at PREP, which was greater than CON (−1.3% [4.6%]) (P = .048). SPR had a corresponding 7.0% (3.6%) improvement in average VO2 during the 20-minute all-out test, which was larger than the 0.7% (6.0%) change in CON (P = .042). No change in VO2max, gross efficiency, or power output at blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol·L−1 from competitive period to PREP occurred in either group. Conclusion: Including sprints in a weekly LIT session during the transition period of elite cyclists provided a performance advantage 6 weeks into the subsequent PREP, which coincided with a higher performance VO2.

This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2020 The Authors. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science In Sports published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd The purpose of this study was to compare the acute effects of time- and effort-matched high-intensity intervals on physiological, endocrine, and skeletal muscle molecular variables in elite cyclists. Eight elite cyclists performed short intervals (SI: 30-seconds) and long intervals (LI: 5-minutes) with work:recovery ratio 2:1, using a randomized crossover design. SI was associated with 14% ± 3% higher mean power output (SI; 421 ± 27 vs LI; 371 ± 22 W), and longer working time above 90% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max, 54% ± 76%) and 90% peak heart rate (HRpeak, 153% ± 148%) than LI (all P < .05), despite similar degrees of perceived exertion, blood lactate levels and muscle activation measured using EMG root mean square (EMG rms). In blood, SI was associated with more pronounced increases in testosterone and testosterone-tosex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) ratios, as well as prolonged cortisol responses (P < .05). In skeletal muscle (m. Vastus lateralis), SI and LI led to similar changes in mRNA abundance for a range of transcripts, with the exception of NHE1 mRNA, which decreased after SI (P < .05). Overall, SI was associated with more pronounced physiological and endocrine responses than LI in elite cyclists, suggesting that such training might lead to superior adaptations in elite cyclists.

Background: Cycling competitions are often of long duration and include repeated high-intensity efforts. Purpose: To investigate the effect of repeated maximal sprints during 4 hours of low-intensity cycling on gross efficiency (GE), electromyography patterns, and pedaling technique compared with work-matched low-intensity cycling in elite cyclists. Methods: Twelve elite, male cyclists performed 4 hours of cycling at 50% of maximal oxygen uptake either with 3 sets of 3 × 30-second maximal sprints (E&S) during the first 3 hours or a work-matched cycling without sprints (E) in a randomized order. Oxygen uptake, electromyography, and pedaling technique were recorded throughout the exercises. Results: GE was reduced from start to the end of exercise in both conditions (E&S: 19.0 [0.2] vs 18.1 [0.2], E: 19.1% [0.2%] vs 18.1% [0.2%], both P = .001), with no difference in change between conditions (condition × time interaction, P = .8). Integrated electromyography increased from start to end of exercise in m. vastus lateralis and m. vastus medialis (m. vastus medialis: 9.9 [2.4], m. vastus lateralis: 8.5 [4.0] mV, main effect of time: P P = .03, respectively) and E&S increased less than E in m. vastus medialis (mean difference −3.3 [1.5] mV, main effect of condition: P = .03, interaction, P = .06). The mechanical effectiveness only decreased in E&S (E&S: −2.2 [0.7], effect size = 0.24 vs E: −1.3 [0.8] percentage points: P = .04 and P = .8, respectively). The mean power output during each set of 3 × 30-second sprints in E&S did not differ (P = .6). Conclusions: GE decreases as a function of time during 4 hours of low-intensity cycling. However, the inclusion of maximal repeated sprinting does not affect the GE changes, and the ability to sprint is maintained throughout the entire session.

The aim of the study was, in runners accustomed to speed endurance training (SET), to examine the effect of increased and maintained frequency of SET on performance and muscular adaptations. After familiarization (FAM) to SET, 18 male ( n = 14) and female ( n = 4) runners (V̇o2max: 57.3 ± 3.4 ml/min; means ± SD) completed 20 sessions of maintained low-frequency (LF; every fourth day; n = 7) or high-frequency (HF; every second day; n = 11) SET. Before FAM as well as before and after an intervention period (INT), subjects completed a series of running tests and a biopsy from m. vastus lateralis was collected. Ten-kilometer performance improved ( P < 0.05) ~3.5% during FAM with no further change during INT. Time to exhaustion at 90% vV̇o2max was 15 and 22% longer ( P < 0.05) during FAM and a further 12 and 16% longer ( P < 0.05) during INT in HF and LF, respectively. During FAM, muscle expression of NHE1 and maximal activity of citrate synthase (CS) and phosphofructokinase (PFK) increased ( P < 0.05), running economy (RE) improved ( P < 0.05), and V̇o2max was unchanged. During INT, both HF and LF increased ( P < 0.05) muscle expression of NKAβ1, whereas maximal activity of CS and PFK, RE, and V̇o2max were unchanged. Furthermore, during INT, muscle expression of FXYD1 and SERCA1, and FXYD1 activity increased ( P < 0.05) in HF, while muscle expression of SERCA2 decreased ( P < 0.05) in LF. Thus increased or maintained frequency of SET leads to further improvements in short-term exercise capacity, but not in 10-km running performance. The better short-term exercise capacity may be associated with elevated expression of muscle proteins related to Na+/K+ transportation and Ca2+ reuptake. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Ten speed endurance training (SET) sessions improved short-term exercise capacity and 10-km performance, which was followed by further improved short-term exercise capacity, but unchanged 10-km performance after 20 SET sessions performed with either high frequency (4 per 8 days) or continued low frequency (2 per 8 days) in trained runners. The further gain in short-term exercise capacity was associated with changes in muscle expression of proteins of importance for the development of fatigue.

The aim of the present study was to examine whether improved running economy with a period of speed endurance training and reduced training volume could be related to adaptations in specific muscle fibers. Twenty trained male (n = 14) and female (n = 6) runners (maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 -max): 56.4 ± 4.6 mL/min/kg) completed a 40-day intervention with 10 sessions of speed endurance training (5-10 × 30-sec maximal running) and a reduced (36%) volume of training. Before and after the intervention, a muscle biopsy was obtained at rest, and an incremental running test to exhaustion was performed. In addition, running at 60% vVO2 -max, and a 10-km run was performed in a normal and a muscle slow twitch (ST) glycogen-depleted condition. After compared to before the intervention, expression of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) was lower (P < 0.05) and dystrophin was higher (P < 0.05) in ST muscle fibers, and sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 1 (SERCA1) was lower (P < 0.05) in fast twitch muscle fibers. Running economy at 60% vVO2 -max (11.6 ± 0.2 km/h) and at v10-km (13.7 ± 0.3 km/h) was ~2% better (P < 0.05) after the intervention in the normal condition, but unchanged in the ST glycogen-depleted condition. Ten kilometer performance was improved (P < 0.01) by 3.2% (43.7 ± 1.0 vs. 45.2 ± 1.2 min) and 3.9% (45.8 ± 1.2 vs. 47.7 ± 1.3 min) in the normal and the ST glycogen-depleted condition, respectively. VO2 -max was the same, but vVO2 -max was 2.0% higher (P < 0.05; 19.3 ± 0.3 vs. 18.9 ± 0.3 km/h) after than before the intervention. Thus, improved running economy with intense training may be related to changes in expression of proteins linked to energy consuming processes in primarily ST muscle fibers.