Key result
VST protocol linked to ~15% higher immediate post-sprint VO₂ versus no ventilatory strategies.
Why the study?
The acute effects of structured ventilatory strategies during repeated supra-maximal efforts had not been evaluated under ecologically valid conditions in WorldTour cyclists.
Does the VST protocol improve VO₂ kinetics during repeated supra-maximal efforts in professional WorldTour cyclists with functional ventilatory limitation?
Observational (n=6)
Does the VST protocol improve VO₂ kinetics during repeated supra-maximal efforts in professional WorldTour cyclists with functional ventilatory limitation?
Effect estimate: r 0.90
p-value: p=0.016
The VST protocol significantly improved immediate post-sprint and sprint VO₂ without compromising mechanical power in professional cyclists with ventilatory limitations.
May warrant VST in cyclists with functional ventilatory limitation; hypothesis-generating observational data that should not yet change practice.
This field-based observational study evaluates the acute effects of the BEFORE and AFTER ventilatory strategies of the VST protocol on VO₂ during repeated supra-maximal efforts in six professional WorldTour cyclists with documented functional ventilatory limitation. Participants completed 6 × 30 s Wingate sprints in a single session: 3 sprints WITHOUT strategies, followed by 3 sprints WITH the full VST protocol (BEFORE + DURING + AFTER), under direct real-time guidance. Immediate post-sprint VO₂ (20–30 s post-sprint) was higher WITH VST in 6/6 participants (+14.6% ± 10.5%; W = 21, p = 0.016, r = 0.90). Sprint VO₂ increased in 5/6 participants (+12.0% ± 10.6%; W = 19, p = 0.047, r = 0.73). Mechanical power was preserved (−0.2%). Inter-sprint recovery CV% decreased from 6.1% to 2.9%. The BEFORE effect was profile-dependent (sprinter vs. climber/all-rounder); the AFTER effect was universal. This study constitutes the first in-field introduction of structured ventilatory strategies during supra-maximal efforts in WorldTour cyclists under ecologically valid conditions.
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Ricci et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Functional ventilatory limitation (n=6). VST protocol (ventilatory strategies) vs. No ventilatory strategies was evaluated on Immediate post-sprint VO₂ (20–30 s post-sprint) (r 0.90, p=0.016). The VST protocol significantly increased immediate post-sprint VO₂ by 14.6% compared to no ventilatory strategies during repeated supra-maximal efforts in WorldTour cyclists (p=0.016).
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