A 6-day high-intensity interval microcycle improves indicators of endurance performance in elite cross-country skiers

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a 6-day high-intensity interval (HIT) block [BLOCK, n = 12, maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O(2max) = 69. 6 ± 4.3 mL·min(−1)·kg(−1))] with a time-matched period with usual training (CON, n = 12, V̇O(2max) = 69.2 ± 4.2 mL·min(−1)·kg(−1)) in well-trained cross-country (XC) skiers on physiological determinants and indicators of endurance performance. Furthermore, the study aimed to investigate the acute physiological responses, including time ≥90% of V̇O(2max), and its associated reliability during repeated HIT sessions in the HIT microcycle. METHODS: Before the 6-day HIT block and following 5 days of recovery after the HIT block, both groups were tested on indicators of endurance performance. To quantify time ≥90% of V̇O(2max) during interval sessions in the HIT block, V̇O(2) measurements were performed on the 1st, 2nd, and last HIT session in BLOCK. RESULTS: BLOCK had a larger improvement than CON in maximal 1-min velocity achieved during the V̇O(2max) test (3.1 ± 3.1% vs. 1.2 ± 1.6%, respectively; p = 0.010) and velocity corresponding to 4 mmol·L(−1) blood lactate (3.2 ± 2.9% vs. 0.6 ± 2.1%, respectively; p = 0.024). During submaximal exercise, BLOCK displayed a larger reduction in respiratory exchange ratio, blood lactate concentration, heart rate, and rate of perceived exertion (p < 0.05) and a tendency towards less energy expenditure compared to CON (p = 0.073). The ICC of time ≥90% V̇O(2max) in the present study was 0.57, which indicates moderate reliability. CONCLUSIONS: In well-trained XC skiers, BLOCK induced superior changes in indicators of endurance performance compared with CON, while time ≥90% of V̇O(2max) during the HIT sessions in the 6-day block had a moderate reliability.