Effects of moderate-intensity endurance and high-intensity intermittent training on anaerobic capacity and ??VO2max

TLDR

The study aimed to determine how six weeks of moderate‑intensity endurance training and high‑intensity intermittent training affect anaerobic capacity and VO₂max. Two experiments were conducted on a mechanically braked cycle ergometer: one with 70 % VO₂max endurance training (60 min/day, 5 days/week) and another with 5 days/week of 7–8 sets of 20‑second bouts at ~170 % VO₂max with 10‑second rests. Moderate‑intensity endurance increased VO₂max but not anaerobic capacity, while high‑intensity intermittent training raised VO₂max by 7 ml kg⁻¹ min⁻¹ and anaerobic capacity by 28 %.

Abstract

This study consists of two training experiments using a mechanically braked cycle ergometer. First, the effect of 6 wk of moderate-intensity endurance training (intensity: 70% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), 60 min.d-1, 5 d.wk-1) on the anaerobic capacity (the maximal accumulated oxygen deficit) and VO2max was evaluated. After the training, the anaerobic capacity did not increase significantly (P > 0.10), while VO2max increased from 53 +/- 5 ml.kg-1 min-1 to 58 +/- 3 ml.kg-1.min-1 (P < 0.01) (mean +/- SD). Second, to quantify the effect of high-intensity intermittent training on energy release, seven subjects performed an intermittent training exercise 5 d.wk-1 for 6 wk. The exhaustive intermittent training consisted of seven to eight sets of 20-s exercise at an intensity of about 170% of VO2max with a 10-s rest between each bout. After the training period, VO2max increased by 7 ml.kg-1.min-1, while the anaerobic capacity increased by 28%. In conclusion, this study showed that moderate-intensity aerobic training that improves the maximal aerobic power does not change anaerobic capacity and that adequate high-intensity intermittent training may improve both anaerobic and aerobic energy supplying systems significantly, probably through imposing intensive stimuli on both systems.