March 19, 2025

162: What training model improves VO2max and time trial performance for recreational and competitive endurance athletes with Michael Rosenblat

1 hour 3 minutes

🎙️ What training model improves VO2max and time trial performance for recreational and competitive endurance athletes?

In this episode of the Supporting Champions Podcast, Steve Ingham is joined by Michael Rosenblat, an expert in exercise science with a fascinating journey from triathlon coaching to physiotherapy. Michael shares his insights into training intensity distribution models, drawing from his recent network meta-analysis on how different approaches impact endurance athletes.

They discuss the complexities of polarized versus pyramidal training models, the methodological challenges of conducting meta-analyses, and the importance of considering individual variability when designing training programmes. Michael also highlights the significance of VO2 max outcomes, the role of network meta-analysis, and why consistency and recovery are fundamental to athletic performance.

Throughout the conversation, Michael emphasizes the need for rigorous methods in sports science research and how understanding gender differences and training intensity thresholds can shape more individualised training approaches. Whether you're a coach, athlete, or researcher, this episode offers valuable insights into optimising training strategies and understanding the science behind performance improvement.

🔍 Key Takeaways:

✅ Training intensity models impact performance differently, with polarized training often benefiting competitive athletes and pyramidal training suiting recreational athletes.

✅ VO2 max outcomes showed no significant differences between training models, highlighting the importance of individual responses.

✅ Methodological rigor in exercise science research is crucial to producing reliable and applicable findings.

✅ Consistency and recovery are essential components of long-term athletic success.

✅ Future research should focus on individualised approaches to training intensity and performance.

📌 Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction and Background

03:00 - Research Journey and Academic Affiliations

05:52 - Overview of the Meta-Analysis Paper

09:11 - Understanding Network Meta-Analysis

11:55 - Participant Characteristics and Sample Size

14:57 - Training Intensity Distribution Models

17:59 - Decoding Intention to Treat vs. Per Protocol Analysis

27:31 - Understanding Quasi-Experimental Designs

30:02 - Methodological Limitations in Training Studies

32:30 - Analyzing Gender Differences in Athletic Performance

34:08 - Exploring VO2 Max Results

39:14 - Individual Variability in Training Responses

47:01 - Comparing Training Models for Different Athlete Levels

55:44 - Practical Recommendations for Athletes

57:01 - Future Directions in Training Research

📖 Read more on Michael’s paper here:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39888556/

https://sylvanadamsports-tau.org.il/en/

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By Steve Ingham

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