The INTV consisted of 7 to 10 repetitions of 4-6 min at the highest intensity sustainable, and in the last 30 s of each repetition was performed a maximal sprint, the active recovery was 4-6 min in intensity from 10 to 15 of scale of perceived exertion CR100.

The riders completed 8 to 12 repetitions of 30 s all-out with 4 min of active recovery (10-15 on the CR100 scale).

The interval training group consisted of 7 to 10 repetitions of 4-6 min at the highest intensity sustainable, the active recovery was 4-6 min in intensity from 10 to 15 of scale of perceived exertion CR100.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of interval (INTV) and intermittent training (INTM) on aerobic fitness variables (peak power output, Wmax, lactate threshold, and onset of blood lactate accumulation) and performance as measured using a controlled MTB race, i.e. simulation. Pre to post differences were examined using two-way ANOVA, with a factor time on two levels (pre, post), and a factor group on two levels (INTV and INTM). Differences between groups post-training were also analyzed with ANCOVA using the pre-training values as covariate. These differences were calculated after log transforming the dependent variables. The difference between groups in the primary outcome (performance) was also analyzed using a magnitude-based inferences approach. The smallest worthwhile difference for the performance was considered to be 1%.