Dynamics of changes in power output, heart rate, and disorders of acid-base balance during interval training in mountain cyclists

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 (pCONCLUSIONS: 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.