Jem Arnold
We recently published an article comparing the NIRS-derived deoxy-BP to the RCP (VT2) in a ramp cycling test. I want to use this and another similar study to understand the important differences between threshold measurements, the natural variability in measuring physiology, and how understanding this variability can help us prescribe training targets that will elicit the desired training stimulus for ourselves and our athletes.
This is a basic template for what I currently consider to be a solid, simple, sustainable training plan that can be individualised, modified, mixed around, and repeated near ad infinitum. This can be used as a foundation for whatever training goals we have, be they focused on performance with a specific peak event/race date in mind, or more about sustaining general health, fitness, longevity, and resiliency.
Hard-start intervals use an initial hard effort at a power output above what would be sustainable for the intended interval duration, to enhance oxygen uptake and cardiac output. Let's talk about some of the reasons for why we might want to perform hard-start intervals, when they might be appropriate for our training, and when they might not be.
Here are some of my current thoughts and questions on the topic of VO2max trainability, time near VO2max, hard-start and intermittent intervals, and adaptations toward capacity and efficiency.
Muscle Oxygenation refers to the flux of oxygen within a target tissue as the result of oxidative respiration. Delivery of oxygenated blood from the heart & lungs and uptake or extraction of oxygen by the mitochondria within the local muscle. This is measured with a technology called near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)
Spare Cycles 