BACKGROUND: While interval training is considered an effective modality for improving physical performance, it is still unclear how to monitor and determine optimal training load.
OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to identify differences in power, heart rate, and acid-base balance in response to a single interval training session in cyclists.
METHODS: The research involved 21 mountain cyclists experienced and inexperienced with interval training. The interval training test consisted of several sets (4-6, until exhaustion) of maximal intensity exercise on a cycle-ergometer. Each set comprised four 30-s repetitions interspersed with 90-s recovery periods. Peak power, work output, heart rate, hydrogen and lactate ion concentrations were measured.
RESULTS: The cyclists experienced with interval training performed significantly more (p< 0.01) sets than inexperienced cyclists (5.6 ± 1.0 vs. 4.5 ± 0.8 sets, respectively). Power and work output decreased in the last completed set only in the inexperienced group (660.5 ± 53.6 vs. 659.9 ± 71.3 W and 666.6 ± 63.3 vs. 633.7 ± 86.8 W in the first and last sets for the experienced and inexperienced cyclists, respectively). The experienced group showed a decrease in hydrogen ion accumulation in the fourth set; in the inexperienced group this occurred in the second set. The experienced group showed lower heart-rate recovery times after the last set.
CONCLUSIONS: Cyclists experienced with interval training could perform more repeated bouts of exercise with a disrupted acid-base balance at a similar performance level than inexperienced cyclists.
