Effects of 12 weeks of block periodization on performance and performance indices in well-trained cyclists

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports 2014-04, Vol.24 (2), p.327-335
• Main Authors: Rønnestad, B. R., Ellefsen, S., Nygaard, H., Zacharoff, E. E., Vikmoen, O., Hansen, J., Hallén, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Athletic Performance - physiology; Bicycling; Bicycling - physiology; endurance performance; Hemoglobins - metabolism; Humans; lactate threshold; Male; maximal oxygen consumption; Muscle Strength - physiology; Oxygen Consumption - physiology; peak power output; Physical Conditioning, Human - methods; Physical Conditioning, Human - physiology; Physical Endurance - physiology; Physical fitness; Sports medicine; Sports training; Time Factors; training organization
• ISSN: 0905-7188; 1600-0838
• DOI: 10.1111/sms.12016

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two different methods of organizing endurance training in trained cyclists during a 12‐week preparation period. One group of cyclists performed block periodization (BP; n = 8), wherein every fourth week constituted five sessions of high‐intensity aerobic training (HIT), followed by 3 weeks of one HIT session. Another group performed a more traditional organization (TRAD; n = 7), with 12 weeks of two weekly HIT sessions. The HIT was interspersed with low‐intensity training (LIT) so that similar total volumes of both HIT and LIT were performed in the two groups. BP achieved a larger relative improvement in VO2max than TRAD (8.8 ± 5.9% vs 3.7 ± 2.9%, respectively, P