Priming exercise increases Wingate cycling peak power output

Effects of Training Sets Sequence on Swimming Performance, Training Load and Physiological Responses

The study examined the effect of set sequence on performance and physiological responses in a training session and in each set separately. Twelve male swimmers performed four sessions in a randomized order, including a combination of two training sets: (i) set A-set C, (ii) set C-set A, (iii) set B-set C, (iv) set C-set B. Set A consisted of 8 × 200 m at a speed corresponding to lactate threshold (30 s recovery), set B included 8 × 100 m at the maximal aerobic speed (30 s recovery), set C included 8 × 50 m sprints at 95% of the maximum 50 m speed (30 s recovery). Speed, blood lactate, pH, base excess, bicarbonate and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured. Speed in each set was similar between sessions irrespective of set sequence (p > 0.05). Physiological responses during sets A and C were similar in all sessions (p > 0.05). In set B, when applied after set C, the metabolic response increased, and HRV decreased (p < 0.05). Overall, session biochemical disturbance was higher when set C was applied before sets A and B (p < 0.05). The magnitude of metabolic and HRV responses in a set conducted at maximal aerobic speed, but not at lactate threshold intensity, is increased when applied after sprint intervals.

Moderate intensity active recovery improves performance in a second wingate test in cyclists

Background

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of active (AR) vs. passive recovery (PR) between two Wingate Anaerobic Tests (WAnT) on power output, blood lactate (BLa) and oxygen consumption (VO₂) in a second WAnT.

Methods

Twelve well-trained cyclists underwent three experimental sessions. In the first session, they completed an incremental test for maximum oxygen consumption (V O₂max) and lactate threshold determination. In the second and third sessions, cyclists completed, in random order, two WAnT tests separated by 30-min recovery intervals, during which they performed an AR at 70% of the V O₂ at lactate threshold (V O₂LT) or a PR. The cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and mechanical responses in the two recovery conditions were compared.

Results

No differences were found in the VO₂-on kinetics between WAnT tests (p > 0.05). As expected, blood lactate kinetics showed a greater clearance (from the 7th to the 31st min, p < 0.001) during AR; however, no differences were found in peak BLa between conditions (p > 0.05). Mean and peak power, and total work were significantly higher in the second WAnT after AR (p < 0.001), while the power decline was also lower in this condition (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The submaximal active recovery strategy used in the present study can induce an improvement in mechanical power and total work during a second WAnT. This suggests that AR of submaximal intensity can induce a post-activation performance enhancement when used during the recovery phase between maximal anaerobic efforts.