Premium
Effects of 12 weeks of block periodization on performance and performance indices in well‐trained cyclists
Author(s) -
Rønnestad B. R.,
Ellefsen S.,
Nygaard H.,
Zacharoff E. E.,
Vikmoen O.,
Hansen J.,
Hallén J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/sms.12016
Subject(s) - periodization , medicine , cycling , block (permutation group theory) , physical therapy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , time trial , mathematics , geography , blood pressure , heart rate , archaeology , geometry
The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two different methods of organizing endurance training in trained cyclists during a 12‐week preparation period. One group of cyclists performed block periodization ( BP ; n = 8), wherein every fourth week constituted five sessions of high‐intensity aerobic training ( HIT ), followed by 3 weeks of one HIT session. Another group performed a more traditional organization ( TRAD ; n = 7), with 12 weeks of two weekly HIT sessions. The HIT was interspersed with low‐intensity training ( LIT ) so that similar total volumes of both HIT and LIT were performed in the two groups. BP achieved a larger relative improvement in VO 2max than TRAD (8.8 ± 5.9% vs 3.7 ± 2.9%, respectively, P < 0.05) and a tendency toward larger increase in power output at 2 mmol/ L [la − ] (22 ± 14% vs 10 ± 7%, respectively, P = 0.054). Mean effect size ( ES ) of the relative improvement in VO 2max , power output at 2 mmol/ L [la − ], hemoglobin mass, and mean power output during 40‐min all‐out trial revealed moderate superior effects of BP compared with TRAD training ( ES range was 0.62–1.12). The present study suggests that BP of endurance training has superior effects on several endurance and performance indices compared with TRAD .