Training Progression in Recreational Cyclists: No Linear Dose-Response Relationship With Training Load

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Cycling Performance

Background:

• Recreational cyclists often follow self-oriented training plans.
• Understanding the relationship between training load and performance is crucial for optimizing training.
• Traditional methods of quantifying training load may not fully capture its impact on performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the relationship between training load (TL) and performance improvement in recreational cyclists.
• To determine if common training load quantification methods (TRIMP) show a linear dose-response relationship with performance.
• To investigate the role of training intensity distribution (TID) in performance enhancement.

Main Methods:

• 11 recreational cyclists trained for 12 weeks with self-oriented plans.
• Laboratory incremental exercise tests measured aerobic threshold (PAT), anaerobic threshold (PANT), and maximal power output (PMAX) pre- and post-training.
• Mean weekly training load was calculated using four TRIMP methods.
• Training intensity distribution was determined based on power output relative to thresholds.

Main Results:

• No significant linear correlations were found between mean weekly TRIMP values and improvements in PMAX, PANT, or PAT.
• Training intensity distribution showed a significant relationship with PANT in a multiple regression model.
• The model indicated that higher percentages in Zone 3 (above anaerobic threshold) were associated with greater PANT improvement.

Conclusions:

• Commonly used TRIMP methods do not demonstrate a linear dose-response relationship with performance improvements in recreational cyclists.
• Training intensity distribution, rather than overall training load volume, may be a more critical factor for enhancing cycling performance.
• Future training prescription for recreational cyclists should consider the distribution of training intensity.