Authors: Ștefan Adrian Martin1, Roxana Maria Martin-Hadmaș2, Cristian Graur3
Affiliation
1Physiology Department, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania ;
2Community Nutrition and Food Safety Department, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania
3Human Movement Sciences Department, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania
Abstract
Background. An adapted aerobic-anaerobic training ratio can either improve or drop short-term VO2peak while limiting the development of aerobic and anaerobic thresholds.
Aims. We aimed to test the exercise capacity by measuring VO2peak while comparing two different training methodologies next to a day-by-day training performance analysis.
Methods. Twelve (n=12) competitive male cross-country and biathlon athletes with a median age of 23 (21–27) years were included as study subjects. Two VO2peak tests (n=2) were conducted in the study period (61 days). The first test (T1) was conducted during day 1 of 61 while test 2 (T2) was conducted during day 61. Several training sessions were held over a median training volume of 3389.6 km (G1 and G2).
Results. Lack of changes regarding the ventilatory thresholds (VT1 – VT2) was obtained between T1 and T2. Yet, through an individual approach, both high aerobic (p=0.03, r =0.62, CI 95%=0.04 to 0.89) and low aerobic training (p=0.04, r=-0.65, CI 95% = -0.90 to -0.03) were correlated with VT1 and VT2 in G2. No similar results were obtained in the G1 training group (p>0.05).
Conclusions. Non-specific training activities improved general aerobic capacity while limiting technical development. Aerobic training reduced oxygen uptake at peak exercise, while both aerobic and anaerobic training were related to a greater peak VO2 value.
Key words: sports performance, anaerobic training, aerobic training, elite athletes, VO2peak.