Effect of Intensified Endurance Training on Pacing and Performance in 4000-m Cycling Time Trials
Click name to view affiliation
Search for other papers by Alice M. Wallett in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Amy L. Woods in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Nathan Versey in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Laura A. Garvican-Lewis in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Marijke Welvaert in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Kevin G. Thompson in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Studies examining pacing strategies during 4000-m cycling time trials (TTs) typically ensure that participants are not prefatigued; however, competitive cyclists often undertake TTs when already fatigued. This study aimed to determine how TT pacing strategies and sprint characteristics of cyclists change during an intensified training period (mesocycle). Thirteen cyclists regularly competing in A- and B-grade cycling races and consistently training (>10 h/wk for 4 [1] y) completed a 6-wk training mesocycle. Participants undertook individually prescribed training, using training stress scores (TrainingPeaks, Boulder, CO), partitioned into a baseline week, a build week, 2 loading weeks (designed to elicit an overreached state), and 2 recovery weeks. Laboratory-based tests (15-s sprint and TT) and Recovery-Stress Questionnaire (RESTQ-52) responses were repeatedly undertaken over the mesocycle. TT power output increased during recovery compared with baseline and loading weeks (P = .001) with >6-W increases in mean power output (MPO) detected for 400-m sections (10% bins) from 1200 to 4000 m in recovery weeks. Decreases in peak heart rate (P < .001) during loading weeks and postexercise blood lactate (P = .005) during loading week 2 and recovery week 1 were detected. Compared with baseline, 15-s sprint MPO declined during loading and recovery weeks (P < .001). An interaction was observed between RESTQ-52 total stress score with a 15-s sprint (P = .003) and with a TT MPO (P = .04), indicating that participants who experienced greater stress during loading weeks exhibited reduced performance. To conclude, intensified endurance training diminished sprint performance but improved 4000-m TT performance, with a subtle change in MPO evident over the last 70% of TTs.
Wallett, Woods, Versey, Welvaert, and Thompson are with the University of Canberra Research Inst Sport and Exercise, Canberra, Australia. Wallett, Woods, Versey, Garvican-Lewis, and Welvaert are with the Dept of Physiology, Australian Inst of Sport, Canberra, Australia. Garvican-Lewis is with the Mary Mackillop Inst for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia.
© 2023 Human Kinetics