REF-1100 · Christensen et al., 2024 · Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, · Paper · PubMed

Elite cyclists, 7 weeks of intervals 3×/week in season with moderate-intensity volume cut by ~33% (~5 h/week) or kept: fresh ~20-min time trial improved (+3% and +2%), the time trial after a 120-min preload did not improve significantly overall (p = 0.19), and preload lactate fell only where volume was kept

Blimited evidenceMeasured on elite to world-class athletesWritten before October 2026, being re-checked

Eighteen male elite cyclists did 7 weeks of high-intensity interval training (3×/week; 4-min and 30-s intervals) during the competitive season, with weekly moderate-intensity training lowered by ~33% (~5 h; LOW, n=8) or kept (NOR, n=10). Performance was tested by 400-kcal time trials (~20 min) with and without a prior 120-min preload that included repeated 20-s sprints.

Participants

18 male elite cyclists, average VO2max 71 ml/kg/min; LOW n=8, NOR n=10.

Protocol

HIT 3×/week for 7 weeks in season; moderate-intensity training −33% (~5 h/week) in LOW, unchanged in NOR.
Tests: 400-kcal time trial fresh and after a 120-min preload with repeated 20-s sprints.

Key Results

Fresh time trial improved overall (p = 0.006): +3% in LOW (p = 0.04), +2% in NOR (p = 0.07). The preloaded time trial did not improve significantly (p = 0.19).
Sprint power during the preload rose 6% in LOW (p < 0.01); fatigue resistance in sprinting improved in both groups (p < 0.05).
Blood lactate during the preload fell only in NOR (p < 0.001).
Oxidative enzymes unchanged; PFK +22% in LOW (p = 0.02).

Practical Application

In elite riders, cutting about 5 h of moderate-intensity riding while adding intervals kept and slightly improved the fresh ~20-min test; the test after two hours did not improve significantly overall (per-group results not reported). "I can drop volume" is supported for fresh short performance only.

Limitations

n=8 and 10, 7 weeks, in season; allocation not stated.
The preload was 120 min — nothing about 4+ h events.
Long rides were not isolated; the manipulation was total moderate-intensity volume.
How this entry was checked and changed
Why this level

elite, ecologically valid, but n=8 and 10 (inference: the fatigued outcome was likely underpowered)