From previous observations in strength training, it appears that the first initial effort will produce the best O2 desaturation per given load. So on further exercise sets, a higher weight is needed to equal the one previous at least in respect to muscle O2 drop. Hence my proposal to do reverse drop sets (with low load weights). Can this type of approach be useful in endurance training interval work?
I have briefly touched on the problematic nature of using muscle O2 in cycling, with significant variation in results depending on sensor position, temperature, skin thickness etc. But, the sensor is accurate by itself with the same position, and the temp range should not change too much on a given ride. The other issue also touched on is the major difference in desat curve shape and magnitude. So one muscle may start at 75% and only drop to 65% with max effort, but another may drop to 20% with the same effort. This may partly relate to muscle type and current level of fitness.
Given the above constraints in day to day reproducible results (not device accuracy), are there ways we can use the muscle O2 knowledge to help us train. Before answering this, a couple of foundational principles should be kept in mind. First, always training with a max effort is not felt to be good for the athlete or the outcome in fitness. Overtraining, and excess physical stress is harmful to immune function, mental status, and the parameters we are training for (muscle growth, endurance etc). So there is a sweet spot (or spots) of suitable high intensity zones in which to work out. These high intensity efforts are generally short (10-300 seconds), with the longer ones at slightly lower intensity. Common HIT workouts would be 30 sec near max, or 2-3 min submaximal power, with a few repeats.
Another principle of training would be in relation to what do you want to accomplish. For instance, peak power would be better trained by short, intense muscular bursts. Most of endurance athletes are more interested in things like mitochondrial density of muscle, capillary growth for better blood supply, improvement of aerobic metabolism chemical machinery. Hypoxia been shown to improve the mechanism for capillary growth, so perhaps prolonging the time the interval is done under hypoxic conditions could be useful. In other words, alter the way we do an interval to maximize the time of hypoxia with the least "effort".
Let's look at some muscle O2 curves (my personal data) to show an example of the above.
One of my typical training interval protocols is to ride at 3 min with a power that I could sustain for about 4 min at max effort. This ends up with my heart rate at max, my muscle O2 at minimum (no matter the muscle).
For example:
3 min effort at 330 watts, sensor on rectus femoris, start O2 63, minimum 19%:
The problem is that this takes a bit out of me and I generally just do 2 on a given day. Now, in the spirit of perhaps less pain but just as much gain, can we get the same curve with less fatigue. I decided to do a reverse drop set, start easier but end with more intensity to equal the same net average watts. Subjectively, this is easier for me to do and I had no problems doing three that day.
This is the same muscle group, average power, but the first 2 min were at 300 watts and the last min at 360 watt avg.
I wonder if there was a slight plateau at the end of the first 2 min, then a resumption of hypoxic response with more power (reminiscent of weight training patterns).
Second set of the above about 10 minutes later:
Note that the start and end muscle O2 were both about 10% higher than the first effort. Presumably this relates to vasodilitation effects, I don't think acid base shifts in O2 sat would relate since I was reasonably rested. This type of observation also reinforces my view that muscle O2 is not a totally consistent parameter to follow since it can vary over the ride, with no change in temp, hydration or location change.
But, the pattern is similar with a good initial drop, slight plateau then resuming the drop with higher muscular power.
Possible conclusion, one can achieve similar muscle hypoxia with a lower starting load, but using a bit higher load for the last segment (same average overall).
After the above 2 intervals, I moved the sensor to my left vastus lateralis for comparison.
The following trace is the result, 300 watts for 2 min then 360 for 1 min:
What about 350 watts all the way through? This is the vastus lateralis on another day (so slight location change probable):
On this muscle the pattern and magnitude of desaturation is quite different. There is an initial drop with a nadir at 1 min, but no real further drop occurs at higher power. Does this mean that there is no further hypoxic stimulus above the initial 300 watts? Or, is the prevention of the slight rise effect a significant advantage of higher power at the end? Could doing the lower power (first 2 min) for longer (5 min) lead to better mitochondrial and capillary density effects?
These questions are impossible to answer at this point, but clearly outcome studies are needed comparing the two training modalities.
In my view, less emphasis on VO2 max/lactate testing is needed and more in this type of area looking for actual performance benefits, or lack of benefit from overtraining.
Highlights:
- The pattern and magnitude of muscle O2 drop can drastically differ both in different muscle groups as well as the exact same spot (after intense efforts). This makes day to day result comparison difficult as well as outcome studies. Looking to see if you have a "better" curve may be misleading as a result.
- Utilizing the muscle O2 sensor can help craft different interval workouts to minimize fatigue, help one do more interval sets, optimize hypoxic conditions. This will hopefully lead to enhanced physiological outcomes in capillary growth, mitochondrial density and quality.
- Outcome studies and biochemical investigation are needed to look at these ideas.
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