Effects of initial performance, gross efficiency and VO_2peak characteristics on subsequent adaptations to endurance training in competitive cyclists

The present study investigated the effects of initial levels of cycling performance, peak oxygen uptake (www.frontiersin.orgO2peak) and gross efficiency (GE) on the subsequent adaptations of these variables and their relationship following high-intensity training (HIT) designed to increase www.frontiersin.orgO2peak in competitive cyclists. Sixty cyclists (www.frontiersin.orgO2peak = 61 ± 6 mL kg-1 min-1) were assigned a 12-week training program consisting of twenty-four supervised high-intensity interval training sessions and ad libitum low intensity training. GE was calculated at 125, 175, and 225 W and performance was determined by mean power during a 40-min time-trial (Power40 min). In a…

Within-Day Energy Deficiency and Metabolic Perturbation in Male Endurance Athletes.

Endurance athletes are at increased risk of relative energy deficiency associated with metabolic perturbation and impaired health. We aimed to estimate and compare within-day energy balance in male athletes with suppressed and normal resting metabolic rate (RMR) and explore whether within-day energy deficiency is associated with endocrine markers of energy deficiency. A total of 31 male cyclists, triathletes, and long-distance runners recruited from regional competitive sports clubs were included. The protocol comprised measurements of RMR by ventilated hood and energy intake and energy expenditure to predict RMRratio (measured RMR/predicted RMR), energy availability, 24-hr energy balance a…

Endurance training organization in elite endurance athletes : From description of best practice towards individualized prescription

The Effect of Different High-Intensity Periodization Models on Endurance Adaptations

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effects of three different high-intensity training (HIT) models, balanced for total load but differing in training plan progression, on endurance adaptations. Methods: Sixty-three cyclists (peak oxygen uptake (V˙O2peak) 61.3 ± 5.8 mL·kg−1·min−1) were randomized to three training groups and instructed to follow a 12-wk training program consisting of 24 interval sessions, a high volume of low-intensity training, and laboratory testing. The increasing HIT group (n = 23) performed interval training as 4 × 16 min in weeks 1–4, 4 × 8 min in weeks 5–8, and 4 × 4 min in weeks 9–12. The decreasing HIT group (n = 20) performed interval sessions in the opposite…

Do elite endurance athletes report their training accurately?

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to validate the accuracy of self-reported (SR) training duration and intensity distribution in elite endurance athletes.Methods:Twenty-four elite cross-country skiers (25 ± 4 y, 67.9 ± 9.88 kg, 75.9 ± 6.50 mL · min−1 · kg−1) SR all training sessions during an ~14-d altitude-training camp. Heart rate (HR) and some blood lactate measurements were collected during 466 training sessions. SR training was compared with recorded training duration from HR monitors, and SR intensity distribution was compared with expert analysis (EA) of all session data.Results:SR training was nearly perfectly correlated with recorded training duration (r = .99), but SR training…

From heart-rate data to training quantification: a comparison of 3 methods of training-intensity analysis.

Purpose:The authors directly compared 3 frequently used methods of heart-rate-based training-intensity-distribution (TID) quantification in a large sample of training sessions performed by elite endurance athletes.Methods:Twenty-nine elite cross-country skiers (16 male, 13 female; 25 ± 4 y; 70 ± 11 kg; 76 ± 7 mL · min−1 · kg−1 VO2max) conducted 570 training sessions during a ~14-d altitude-training camp. Three analysis methods were used: time in zone (TIZ), session goal (SG), and a hybrid session-goal/time-in-zone (SG/TIZ) approach. The proportion of training in zone 1, zone 2, and zone 3 was quantified using total training time or frequency of sessions, and simple conversion factors across…

Effects of high-intensity training on physiological and hormonal adaptions in well-trained cyclists

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effects of three different high-intensity training (HIT) models, balanced for total load but differing in training plan progression, on endurance adaptations. Methods: Sixty-three cyclists (peak oxygen uptake (V˙ O2peak) 61.3 T 5.8 mLIkgj1 Iminj1 ) were randomized to three training groups and instructed to follow a 12-wk training program consisting of 24 interval sessions, a high volume of low-intensity training, and laboratory testing. The increasing HIT group (n = 23) performed interval training as 4 16 min in weeks 1–4, 4 8 min in weeks 5–8, and 4 4 min in weeks 9–12. The decreasing HIT group (n = 20) performed interval sessions in the opposite me…

The road to gold: Training and peaking characteristics in the year prior to a gold medal endurance performance

Published version of an article in the journal PLoS ONE. Also available from the publisher at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0101796 Open Access Purpose: To describe training variations across the annual cycle in Olympic and World Champion endurance athletes, and determine whether these athletes used tapering strategies in line with recommendations in the literature. Methods: Eleven elite XC skiers and biathletes (4 male; 28±1 yr, 85±5 mL. min-1. kg-1 V̇O2max, 7 female, 25±4 yr, 73±3 mL. min-1. kg-1 V̇O2max) reported one year of day-to-day training leading up to the most successful competition of their career. Training data were divided into periodization and peaking phases and dis…