Variable power output during cycling improves subsequent treadmill run time to exhaustion

SummaryThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of constant versus variable power output cycling exercise on subsequent high-intensity, running performance. Eight triathletes completed two testing sessions (in a random order), which required the subjects to perform 30 min of cycling at either, a constant power output (90% of the lactate threshold), or a variable power output with power output alternating every 5 min (±20% of the constant workload). Each cycling bout was immediately followed by a high-intensity treadmill run (16.7 ± 0.7 km h−1) to exhaustion. No significant differences were found for mean metabolic values or power output between cycling conditions. However, a significant (P < 0.05) improvement in run time to exhaustion was reported after 30 min of variable cycling (15:09 ± 4:43 min) compared to constant cycling (10:51 ± 3:32 min). The results of this study demonstrate that, despite similar average physiological responses during 30 min of cycling, variable-intensity cycling results in an improved running performance compared to constant-intensity cycling. It is hypothesised that the reduced power output in the final 5 min of variable cycling protocol may allow recovery before transition, however the mechanisms involved cannot be determined from the current study.