Cycling Performance and Training Load: Effects of Intensity and Duration
in International Journal of Sports Physiology and PerformanceClick name to view affiliation
Purpose: To examine the effect of cycling exercise intensity and duration on subsequent performance and to compare the resulting acute performance decrement (APD) with total work done (TWD) and corresponding training-load (TL) metrics. Methods: A total of 14 male cyclists performed a 5-minute time trial (TT) as a baseline and after 4 initial exercise bouts of varying exercise intensity and duration. The initial exercise bouts were performed in a random order and consisted of a 5- and a 20-minute TT and a 20- and a 40-minute submaximal ride. The resulting APD was calculated as the percentage change in 5-minute TT from baseline, and this was compared with the TWD and TL metrics for the corresponding initial exercise bout. Results: Average power output was different for each of the 4 initial exercise bouts (
Kesisoglou and Passfield are with the School of Sport and Exercises Sciences, University of Kent, Chatham Maritime, United Kingdom. Nicolò is with the Dept. of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico,” Rome, Italy. Passfield is with the Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
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