Utility of the W´BAL model in training program design for masters cyclists

Miguel Ángel Galán-Rioja, Fernando González-Mohíno, Philip Friere Skiba, José María González-Ravé, Advocate Family Medicine Faculty - Lutheran General

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The present study aims to determine the utility of integrating balance model (W&acute; BAL-INT ) in designing interval training programs as assessed by improvements in power output, critical power (CP), and W prime (W&acute;) defined as the finite work capacity above CP. Fourteen male cyclists (age = 42 &plusmn; 7 yr, body mass = 69.6 &plusmn; 6.5 kg, height = 175 &plusmn; 5 cm, CP = 302 &plusmn; 32 W, relative CP = 4.35 &plusmn; 0.66 W&middot;kg -1 ) were randomized into two training groups: Short-Medium-Long intervals (SML-INT; n = 7) or Long intervals (L-INT, n = 7) [training sessions separated by 72 h], along with 3-4 sessions of moderate intensity training per week, for 4 weeks. All sessions were designed to result in the complete depletion of the W&acute; as gauged by the W&acute; BAL-INT . CP and W&acute; were assessed using the specified efforts (i.e., 12, 7 and 3 min) and calculated with the 2-parameter CP linear model. Training loads between the groups were compared using different metrics. CP improved in both the SML-INT and L-INT groups by 5 &plusmn; 4% and 6 &plusmn; 5% (p < 0.001) respectively, without significant changes in W&acute;. Mean maximal power over 3, 7 and 12 min increased significantly in the SML-INT group by 5%, 4% and 9%, (p < 0.05) without significant changes in the L-INT group. There were no differences between groups in training zone distribution or training load using BikeScore and relative intensity, but there was significantly (p < 0.05) higher TRIMPS for the Long-INT group. Therefore, W&acute; BAL model may prove to be a useful tool for coaches to construct SML-INT training programs.

Original languageAmerican English
JournalEuropean journal of sport science
DOIs
StatusPublished - Jul 1 2023

Keywords

  • Road cycling
  • VO2 kinetics
  • W´ balance
  • optimizing performance
  • power output
  • time trial

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