Intensified training decreased submaximal and peak heart rates, but these changes did not differ between functionally overreached and acute fatigued subjects (P=0.51).
Observational (n=30)
Is the change in submaximal heart rate after intensified training associated with changes in performance in amateur cyclists?
Submaximal heart rate decreases after intensified training but does not correlate with performance changes, suggesting it is an inadequate metric for prescribing and monitoring intensified training.
p-value: p=0.51
ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to investigate whether the change in (sub)maximal heart rate after intensified training is associated with the change in performance. Thirty subjects were recruited who performed cardiopulmonary exercise tests to exhaustion 2 weeks before (pre), 1 week after (post) and 5 weeks after (follow‐up) an 8‐day non‐competitive amateur cycling event (TFL). The exercise volume during the TFL was 7.7 fold the volume during the preparation period. Heart rate and cardiopulmonary parameters were obtained at standardised absolute submaximal workloads (low, medium and high intensity) and at peak level each test. Subjects were classified as functionally overreached (FOR) or acute fatigued (AF) based on the change in performance. No differences between FOR and AF were observed for heart rate ( P = .51). On total group level (AF + FOR), post‐TFL heart rate decreased significantly at low (−4.4 beats·min −1 , 95% CI −8.7, −0.1) and medium (−5.5 beats·min −1 −8.5, −2.4), but not at high intensity. Peak heart rate decreased −3.4 beats·min −1 −6.1, −0.7. O 2 pulse was on average 0.49 ml O 2 ·beat −1 0.09, 0.89 higher at all intensities after intensified training. No changes in ⩒O 2 ( P = .44) or the ventilatory threshold ( P = .21) were observed. Pearson's correlation coefficients revealed negative associations between heart rate and O 2 pulse at low ( r = −.56, P < .01) and medium intensity ( r = −.54, P < .01), but not with ⩒O 2 or any other submaximal parameter. (Sub)maximal heart rate decreased after the TFL. However, this decrease is unrelated to the change in performance. Therefore, heart rate seems inadequate to prescribe and monitor intensified training.
Haaf et al. (Thu,) conducted a observational in Intensified training and fatigue (n=30). 8-day non-competitive amateur cycling event (intensified training) vs. Baseline (2 weeks pre-event) was evaluated on Difference in heart rate change between functionally overreached (FOR) and acute fatigued (AF) subjects (p=0.51). Intensified training decreased submaximal and peak heart rates, but these changes did not differ between functionally overreached and acute fatigued subjects (P=0.51).