Tabata's vs tradtional VO2's

I find the study and paperwork on Tabata's interesting as well and have been doing a different form of them off and on for a while. I have not tried them on the bike and do not plan to. I would probably do the VO2 intervals similar to what you mention when I get to that point of my training period.

When I studied or searched for information on Tabata's earlier in the year I noticed that a lot of people made excellent short term gains in various sporting event training, but almost all said the long term impact was negative and some suggested harmful to long term success. After a few weeks many began to have problems and had to stop. I have seen more stating they had to stop doing them than I saw reporting they keep on a continued diet of Tabata's.

If VO2 intervals are harder than Tabata's are there people also stating a negative result after continuing for too long a period?

I am not really doing a true Tabata since I am skipping rope like a boxer and it is hard to go full out like sprinting a hill, but it is still very taxing to my heart and yet not impacting the same muscle groups that are getting stressed by continual training in or near the sweet spot. About 8 sets of those seem to be all that I can handle in one session though before I begin to start tripping over the rope and gasping for air. [IMG]/img/vbsmilies/smilies/smile.gif[/IMG]

Anyway, I like the topic and would also be interested in seeing further discussion.