title: Effects of Sprint versus High-Intensity Aerobic Interval Training on Cross-Country Mountain Biking Performance: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The current study compared the effects of high-intensity aerobic training (HIT) and sprint interval training (SIT) on mountain biking (MTB) race simulation performance and physiological variables, including peak power output (PPO), lactate threshold (LT) and onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen mountain bikers (mean ± SD: age 32.1 ± 6.4 yr, body mass 69.2 ± 5.3 kg and VO2max 63.4 ± 4.5 mL∙kg(-1)∙min(-1)) completed graded exercise and MTB performance tests before and after six weeks of training. The HIT (7-10 x [4-6 min--highest sustainable intensity / 4-6 min-CR100 10-15]) and SIT (8-12 x [30 s--all-out intensity / 4 min--CR100 10-15]) protocols were included in the participants' regular training programs three times per week.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Post-training analysis showed no significant differences between training modalities (HIT vs. SIT) in body mass, PPO, LT or OBLA (p = 0.30 to 0.94). The Cohen's d effect size (ES) showed trivial to small effects on group factor (p = 0.00 to 0.56). The interaction between MTB race time and training modality was almost significant (p = 0.08), with a smaller ES in HIT vs. SIT training (ES = -0.43). A time main effect (pre- vs. post-phases) was observed in MTB race performance and in several physiological variables (p = 0.001 to 0.046). Co-variance analysis revealed that the HIT (p = 0.043) group had significantly better MTB race performance measures than the SIT group. Furthermore, magnitude-based inferences showed HIT to be of likely greater benefit (83.5%) with a lower probability of harmful effects (0.8%) compared to SIT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the current study suggest that six weeks of either HIT or SIT may be effective at increasing MTB race performance; however, HIT may be a preferable strategy.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01944865.
authors.affiliation: Physical Education Department, Estácio de Sá University, Nova Friburgo, RJ, Brazil.|Physical Education Center Admiral Adalberto Nunes, Brazilian Navy, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.|Performance Laboratory, Recife, PE, Brazil.|Exercise Psychophysiology Group, School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.affiliation: Schulthess Clinic, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Franco M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Impellizzeri
authors.affiliation: Performance Laboratory, Recife, PE, Brazil.|Exercise Psychophysiology Group, School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Flávio O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Pires
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Education and Sports, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernando A M S
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Pompeu
authors.affiliation: Exercise and Sports Sciences Postgraduate Program, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.|Neuroscience Laboratory of Exercise, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Andrea C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Deslandes
authors.affiliation: Performance Laboratory, Recife, PE, Brazil.|Exercise Psychophysiology Group, School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.|Neuroscience Laboratory of Exercise, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.|Physical Education Graduate Program and Physical Therapy Graduate Program, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tony M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Santos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D000066908:Simulation Training / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D019344:Lactic Acid