It was fun to see Pete and it gives me hope Amber or Chad could make a guest appearance someday.
Also, can we please review an athlete who is optimizing their training and looking for the last bit of gain who isn’t world class. Like some guy who is really getting after it at 2w/kg to get their perspective?
Joe
You should check out this podcast, dedicated to endurance training for women. I listen to the main Fast Talk podcast and highly rate it.
The Fast Talk Femmes isn’t really geared for peri- or post-menopausal women. It’s geared for the younger women who are aiming for a high level of performance. At least, this has been my take every time I listen to it.
You might find this interesting, also. Not endurance or even cycling, specific, but definitely some good information.
Thanks for the links
Interestingly, they both cover something I’d really like @Jonathan to do a deep dive on.
Dr Stacy Sims caused a big uproar in the menopausal community with her stance on zone 2 which she based on various research. Her opinion can be found here
Then the Fast Talk Femmes podcast produced this episode which feels like a direct response to Dr Stacy Sims article’s extrapolation of the science.
All us peri and post-menopausal ladies have our own take on this and the general consesus is the usual: more research needed, one size doesnt fit all, depends on your goals.
However, I am interested in the TR view on the interpretation of the studies and whether any further research is now available.
I’ve heard a similar narrative from some research, I can’t remember where.
If you look at population level, declines are a consistent gradual downward gradient. At an individualised level, declines look more like plateaus or very gentle declines, with sudden cliffs. The drop-off is caused by a big lifestyle change - biggest being injury or illness. I suspect this also applies to the narrower athletic population.
Jon certainly has his strengths, but in my opinion deep dives isn’t one of them. He was always really good at giving a brief summary after Chad or Amber did their deep dives. I really miss those days. Looking forward to hearing Pete again!
1:14:12
“We talked about reduction in mitochondrial density. We talked about lower return on the stimulus, you need to send a stronger signal to your body, right? This is why strength training is so valuable…because it’s going to send a stronger signal to your body. It’s the strongest signal you can send to your body. You’re using weight outside of your body, you’re using stuff that’s greater than the average forces you would encounter…”
You’re suggesting that strength training is beneficial for mitochondrial density and/or function.
Because strength training is a big stimulus. A bigger stimulus than normal training.
Any evidence at all to support this first part - the link of strength training to mitochondria?
Second part - training stimulus is a combination of intensity and time. Strength training is a huge stimulus. Big force but over very few cycles. e.g. over a matter of 15 reps, 3 sets = 45 movements. High force - e.g. 100kg plus bodyweight = 1100N (guess). Do a few exercises. Equals a few mins of actual time under tension in a session.
200w pedaling 170mm crank - 140N expressed over hours.
Which is the bigger stimulus to mitochondria?
If what you say is true, then reductio ad absurdum, I should not do any endurance training, but should instead just lift weights to become a better cyclist.
Absolutely, suggest that strength training is an important part of the mix of training for an athlete, especially an older athlete. But I think you’ve made spurious links to mechanisms and outcomes.
If injury or illness was the primary cause they’d be no correlation with age.
Agree to a point, but the age you have an injury at probably has a significant impact on your motivation to come back. When I shattered my kneecap at 49, I was extremely motivated to work my butt off to come back stronger. Took a couple years. If it happened again at 65, I’d probably be more likely to give up on racing competitively and just be happy to go into participation mode.