Whats the point of rest periods during road cycling interval sessions when they can actually hinder progress by allowing the body to recover too much, thereby reducing the overall training stress thats necessary for real gains in fitness and endurance?
Isnt it possible that the traditional approach to interval training, which emphasizes active recovery and strict adherence to predetermined rest periods, is actually counterproductive for cyclists who are looking to push themselves to new heights?
Dont get me wrong, Im not suggesting that rest periods arent necessary at all, but rather that the conventional wisdom surrounding their use is overly simplistic and doesnt account for individual variability in recovery needs.
For example, what if a cyclist is doing a high-intensity interval session and is feeling fully recovered after only 30 seconds of rest, but the traditional protocol calls for a full minute of rest? Shouldnt they be allowed to adapt their rest periods on the fly based on how theyre feeling, rather than being forced to adhere to some arbitrary schedule?
And what about the role of mental toughness in all of this? Doesnt the emphasis on rest periods during interval training actually create a culture of dependency on recovery, rather than encouraging cyclists to push through the pain and discomfort thats necessary for real growth and development?
Can anyone explain to me why were still using the same outdated interval training protocols that were developed decades ago, when we have so much more knowledge now about the complexities of human physiology and the importance of individualized training?