Time course of performance changes and markers of fatigue in response to intensified training in cyclists

S Halson, Matthew Bridge, B Busschaert, R Meeusen, Michael Gleeson, David Jones, Asker Jeukendrup

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

176 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

To study the cumulative effects of exercise stress and subsequent recovery on performance changes and fatigue indicators, the training of eight endurance cyclists was systematically controlled and monitored for a 6-wk period. Subjects completed 2 wk of normal (N), intensified (ITP), and recovery training. A significant decline in maximal power output (N = 338 +/- 17 W, ITP = 319 +/- 17 W) and a significant increase in time to complete a simulated time trial (N = 59.4 +/- 1.9 min, ITP = 65.3 +/- 2.6 min) occurred after ITP in conjunction with a 29% increase in global mood disturbance. The decline in performance was associated with a 9.3% reduction in maximal heart rate, a 5% reduction in maximal oxygen uptake, and an 8.6% increase in perception of effort. Despite the large reductions in performance, no changes were observed in substrate utilization, cycling efficiency, and lactate, plasma urea, ammonia, and catecholamine concentrations. These findings indicate that a state of overreaching can already be induced after 7 days of intensified training with limited recovery.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)947-956
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Applied Physiology
Volume93
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2002

Keywords

  • overreaching
  • cycling
  • overload
  • overtraining

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