Evaluation of metabolic and physiological acute responses obtained from difficult sprint interval modalities

The Wingate type interval (7,5% of body mass, maximal load of 6 x 30-sec, 1: 8 load / rest ratio), which is a traditional sprint interval type applied in cycling, is an interval type (SIT1) in which the "intermittent sprint" feature is lost due to the dramatic drop in pedal turn speeds in subsequent loads. Accordingly, decreasing occlusion and hypoxic conditions during loading at SIT1 may negatively affect aerobic and anaerobic endurance development potentials expected from sprint intervals. The aim of this thesis study was to evaluate the potential impact of alternate sprint interval models we have designed based on findings from our plot studies, in comparison with SIT1, a popular sprint interval type currently in use. The study was carried out in seven male participants (age: 24 ± 3 years, height: 177.9 ± 1.9 cm, mass: 77.7 ± 7.2 kg) who does regular physical activity (3-5 days / body fat percentage: 8.81 ± 4.1%). Sub-maximal and maximal incremental tests were performed to determine levels of individual peak oxygen use following four compliance sessions with participants. The effects of the five sprint interval practices (6 x 30-sec loads, 1: 8 load / recovery ratio) were compared when compared to SIT1. From these practices SIT2 is maximal loaded with 5% of body mass; SIT3 load at 200% PPO at constant rpm and resistance; The average rpm values of the SIT4 30-sec loads are above 120; SIT5 was implemented in such a way that the rpm value was fixed at 120 in the isokinetic mode during the 30-sec period, and the SIT6 practice was over the last 5-sec average rpm value of the 30-sec charging periods. Findings showed that the sprint interval practice completed with the highest rpm averages was SIT5 at 139 rpm (p = 0.001). As a natural result, the SIT5 model gave the highest  blood lactation response compared to SIT1, SIT2 and SIT3 (19.9 mmolL-1; p <0.05). When the lactate recovery kinetics were examined, the 120-min blood lactate responses (2.3 mmolL-1) obtained from the SIT5 model were higher than all other practices (p <0.05). On the other hand, RER could be recovered later in the SIT5 model compared to the SIT1 and SIT4 models where sprint rates were not maintained (p <0.05). Through this thesis, it was concluded that the application of SIT5 could improve the anaerobic processes better and indirectly the aerobic performance enhancing potentials.