Effects of work-matched high-intensity intermittent cycling training with different loads and cadences on Wingate anaerobic test performance in university athletes

Work-matched high-intensity intermittent cycling training (HIICT) reportedly improves VO2max regardless of the combination of loads and cadences. However, the effect of work-matched HIICT with different combinations of loads and cadences on anaerobic work capacity is unknown. This study aims to investigate the effects of work-matched HIICT with different loads and cadences on Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT) performance, which is an index of anaerobic work capacity. University athletes performed HIICT either with high-load / 60 rpm (HL60, n = 8) or low-load / 120 rpm (LL120, n = 8). HIICT consisted of eight sets of pedaling for 20 s with 10 s of passive rest between each set. Initial exercise intensity was set at 135% of VO2peak and decreased by 5% after every two sets. HIICT was performed for 18 sessions during the 6-week period. Pre and post the training period, peak power, peak rpm, average power, and time to reach peak power during WAnT and VO2peak were measured. According to two-way analysis of variance (time × group), the main effect of time was observed in VO2peak, peak power, peak rpm, and average power during WAnT (p < 0.05). However, time × group interaction was not observed for any indices (p > 0.05). Conversely, time × group interaction was observed in time to reach peak power during WAnT, and significantly shortened only in HL60 (p < 0.05). These results suggest the effectiveness of work-matched HIICT with high-load / low cadence on WAnT performance.