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Interval Training and Performance in Mountain Bikers

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Physical Activity
Interventions
Other: Interval Training
Other: Intermittent Training
Registration Number
NCT01944865
Lead Sponsor
Universidade Gama Filho
Brief Summary

The aerobic fitness is important for mountain bikers, but riders should also be able to generate maximal and supramaximal efforts in some crucial phases of the competition. Although there is an increase interest in high-intensity aerobic training, to investigators knowledge, there are no studies examining the effects of interval (INTV) or intermittent training (INTM) in mountain bikers. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of INTV and INTM on aerobic fitness variables (peak power output, Wmax, lactate threshold, and onset of blood lactate accumulation) but more importantly on performance as measured using a controlled mountain bike race, i.e. simulation. The investigators hypothesized that INTV and INTM training were equally effective in improving Wmax, Lactate threshold and onset of blood lactate accumulation, but INTV was superior in enhancing performance in mountai bike race simulation.This hypothesis is due to studies that have shown higher gains in performance with long duration of aerobic high intensity interval training in comparison to the shorter training at a higher intensity.

Detailed Description

The study is a controlled and randomized trial.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Male
Target Recruitment
16
Inclusion Criteria
  • Specific training in the mountain bike sport
Exclusion Criteria
  • Use of pharmacological substances

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Interval TrainingInterval TrainingThe INTV consisted of 7 to 10 repetitions of 4-6 min at the highest intensity sustainable, and in the last 30 s of each repetition was performed a maximal sprint, the active recovery was 4-6 min in intensity from 10 to 15 of scale of perceived exertion CR100.
Intermittent TrainingIntermittent TrainingThe riders completed 8 to 12 repetitions of 30 s all-out with 4 min of active recovery (10-15 on the CR100 scale).
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Interval Training and Performance in Mountain BikersSix weeks

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of interval (INTV) and intermittent training (INTM) on aerobic fitness variables (peak power output, Wmax, lactate threshold, and onset of blood lactate accumulation) and performance as measured using a controlled MTB race, i.e. simulation. Pre to post differences were examined using two-way ANOVA, with a factor time on two levels (pre, post), and a factor group on two levels (INTV and INTM). Differences between groups post-training were also analyzed with ANCOVA using the pre-training values as covariate. These differences were calculated after log transforming the dependent variables. The difference between groups in the primary outcome (performance) was also analyzed using a magnitude-based inferences approach. The smallest worthwhile difference for the performance was considered to be 1%.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Gama Filho University

🇧🇷

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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