Are High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workouts with shorter work-to-rest ratios more effective for increasing cycling power-to-weight ratio in road cycling than traditional interval training methods, or do they merely serve as a means to increase lactate tolerance and fail to translate to real-world performance gains.
Specifically, is it more beneficial to focus on shorter intervals (20-60 seconds) with minimal rest (1:1 work-to-rest ratio) to target anaerobic capacity and neuromuscular power, or do longer intervals (4-8 minutes) with longer rest periods (3-5 minutes) better develop aerobic capacity and functional threshold power.
Furthermore, what is the optimal distribution of interval types and intensities within a training block to maximize power-to-weight ratio gains, and how do these workouts interact with other training variables such as volume, frequency, and periodization.
Its also worth considering whether the current trend towards polarized training, where a large proportion of training time is spent at low intensity with a smaller proportion spent at high intensity, is truly the most effective way to increase power-to-weight ratio, or if a more balanced approach to training intensity distribution would yield better results.
Additionally, how do different types of cyclists, such as those with a more endurance-based versus sprint-based physiology, respond to different interval training protocols, and what are the implications for training program design.
The relationship between interval training and power-to-weight ratio is complex, and a deeper understanding of the underlying physiological mechanisms and optimal training protocols is necessary to inform evidence-based training practices.