Effect of varying recovery intensities on power outputs during severe intensity intervals in trained cyclists during the Covid-19 pandemic

PURPOSE: The study aimed to investigate the effects of different recovery intensities on the power outputs of repeated severe intensity intervals and the implications for W′ reconstitution in trained cyclists. METHODS: Eighteen trained cyclists (FTP 258.0 ± 42.7 W; weekly training 8.6 ± 1.7 h∙week(−1)) familiar with interval training, use of the Zwift® platform throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, and previously established FTP (95% of mean power output from a 20-min test), performed 5 × 3-min severe intensity efforts interspersed with 2-min recoveries. Recovery intensities were: 50 W (LOW), 50% of functional threshold power (MOD), and self-selected power output (SELF). RESULTS: Whilst power outputs declined as the session progressed, mean power outputs during the severe intervals across the conditions were not different to each other (LOW 300.1 ± 48.1 W; MOD: 296.9 ± 50.4 W; SELF: 298.8 ± 53.3 W) despite the different recovery conditions. Mean power outputs of the self-selected recovery periods were 121.7 ± 26.2 W. However, intensity varied during the self-selected recovery periods, with values in the last 15 s being greater than the first 15 s (p < 0.001) and decreasing throughout the session (128.7 ± 25.4 W to 113.9 ± 29.3 W). CONCLUSION: Reducing recovery intensities below 50% of FTP failed to enhance subsequent severe intensity intervals, suggesting that a lower limit for optimal W′ reconstitution had been reached. As self-selected recoveries were seen to adapt to maintain the severe intensity power output as the session progressed, adopting such a strategy might be preferential for interval training sessions.