Block training periodization in alpine skiing: effects of 11-day HIT on VO2max and performance

Abstract

Attempting to achieve the high diversity of training goals in modern competitive alpine skiing simultaneously can be difficult and may lead to compromised overall adaptation. Therefore, we investigated the effect of block training periodization on maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and parameters of exercise performance in elite junior alpine skiers. Six female and 15 male athletes were assigned to high-intensity interval (IT, N = 13) or control training groups (CT, N = 8). IT performed 15 high-intensity aerobic interval (HIT) sessions in 11 days. Sessions were 4 x 4 min at 90-95% of maximal heart rate separated by 3-min recovery periods. CT continued their conventionally mixed training, containing endurance and strength sessions. Before and 7 days after training, subjects performed a ramp incremental test followed by a high-intensity time-to-exhaustion (tlim) test both on a cycle ergometer, a 90-s high-box jump test as well as countermovement (CMJ) and squat jumps (SJ) on a force plate. IT significantly improved relative VO2max by 6.0% (P < 0.01; male +7.5%, female +2.1%), relative peak power output by 5.5% (P < 0.01) and power output at ventilatory threshold 2 by 9.6% (P < 0.01). No changes occurred for these measures in CT. tlim remained unchanged in both groups. High-box jump performance was significantly improved in males of IT only (4.9%, P < 0.05). Jump peak power (CMJ -4.8%, SJ -4.1%; P < 0.01), but not height decreased in IT only. For competitive alpine skiers, block periodization of HIT offers a promising way to efficiently improve VO2max and performance. Compromised explosive jump performance might be associated with persisting muscle fatigue.

Muscle mechanical properties of strength and endurance athletes and changes after one week of intensive training

“…A large amount of the procedures commonly available are either invasive or motivation dependent, and might induce fatigue (Bosco et al, 1983;Breil et al, 2010;Fry et al, 1994). In this context, an alternative method, such as the tensiomyography (TMG), allows muscular function evaluation through the assessment of different mechanical properties.…”

Effect of 3-week high-intensity interval training on VO2max, total haemoglobin mass, plasma and blood volume in well-trained athletes

“…However, changes in HR max and changes in VO 2max were unrelated, suggesting that HR max reduction does not contribute to VO 2max improvements after 3 weeks of HIT. The suppressed HR max was already observed in other HIT investigations (Breil et al 2010a;Etxebarria et al 2014) and is most likely due to increased cardiac vagal activity (Kiviniemi et al 2014) and cardiovagal baroreflex function (Zavorsky 2000).…”

“…However, power calculation was based on not well-trained subjects and therefore we cannot exclude that our study may have been underpowered particularly with regard to BV and PV. Regarding VO 2max , other HIT studies (Breil et al 2010a;Helgerud et al 2007) with the same HIT protocol (4 × 4 min at 90-95 % of HR max ) and with welltrained subjects had only 10 and 13 subjects, respectively (in the HITG), and showed significant changes. This indicates that 19 participants in the HITG should have been sufficient do detect VO 2max changes.…”

“…Introduction low-intensity recovery periods, seems to be the most effective method to improve exercise performance not only in well-trained athletes but also in sedentary and diseased individuals (Astorino et al 2012;Breil et al 2010a;Helgerud et al 2007;Iaia et al 2009;Jacobs et al 2013;Laursen et al 2002). However, as the favourable effects of HIT on VO 2max are well established, the underlying mechanism explaining these improvements, especially in welltrained athletes, remains partly elusive.…”

New Horizons for the Methodology and Physiology of Training Periodization

“…This is certainly not to suggest that multi-modal training is always advisable and, in the interests of balance, it should be noted that a recent study has demonstrated an improvement in outcomes following an 11 day high intensity endurance training intervention in alpine skiers (33) . Although the design does not necessarily conform to the description of block periodization as outlined in the 'new horizon' paper, the study authors do suggest that this finding illustrates the potential superiority of block periodization.…”