title: Specific Intensity for Peaking: Is Race Pace the Best Option?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The peaking period for endurance competition is characterized for a relative increase of the intensity of training, after a longer period of training relatively dominated by lower intensity and higher volume.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study was designed to compare physiological and 10 km performance effects of high intensity training (HIT) versus race pace interval training (RP) during peaking for competition in well-trained runners.
  
  
  METHODS
  13 athletes took part in the study, they were divided into two groups: HIT and RP. HIT performed short intervals at ~105% of the maximal aerobic velocity (MAV), while RP trained longer intervals at a speed of ~90% of the MAV (a speed approximating 10 km race pace). After 12 weeks of baseline training, the athletes trained for 6 weeks under one of the two peaking regimes. Subjects performed 10 km prior to and after the intervention period. The total load of training was matched between groups during the treatment phase. Subjects completed a graded treadmill running test until volitional exhaustion prior to each 10 km race. MAV was determined as the minimal velocity eliciting maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups significantly improved their 10 km time (35 minutes 29 seconds ± 1 minutes 41 seconds vs 34 minutes 53 seconds ± 1 minutes 55 seconds, P < 0.01 for HIT; 35 minutes 27 seconds ± 1 minutes 40 seconds vs 34 minutes 53 seconds ± 1 minutes 18 seconds P < 0.01 for RP). VO2max increased after HIT (69 ± 3.6 vs 71.5 ± 4.2 ml.Kg(-1).min(-1), P < 0.05); while it didn't for RP (68.4 ± 6 vs 69.8 ± 3 ml.Kg(-1).min(-1), p>0.05). In contrast, running economy decreased significantly after HIT (210 ± 6 ml.Kg(-1).km(-1) vs 218 ± 9, P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A 6 week period of training at either 105% of MAV or 90% of MAV yielded similar performance gains in a 10km race performed at ~90% MAV. Therefore, the physiological impact of HIT training seems to be positive for VO2max but negative for running economy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Motricity and Sport Training Fundamentals, European University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Iker
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Munoz
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seiler
authors.affiliation: Cardiometatabolic Unity, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Yucatan, Merida, Mexico.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alcocer
authors.affiliation: School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA.
authors.forename: Natasha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.affiliation: Department of Motricity and Sport Training Fundamentals, European University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Esteve-Lanao
keywords: Athletic Performance; Exercise; Running