Gskalt wrote:
This is a new test for me. my coach has me doing 3x12 minutes with 3 minute recoveries between. its really torturous. is this step method a good substitute for that? My legs are useless after the session and still have to survive my day in real life.If your legs are useless after 3 x 12 min on, 3 min off at (probably) ~75% of VO2max*, then an incremental exercise test in which you end up at a power requiring 110-120% of VO2max may very well cause them to fall off.
To help put things in perspective (as I always describe to students): your plasma catecholamine, i.e., norepinephrine and epinephrine (noradrenaline or adrenaline if your English), levels with be several fold HIGHER after the latter test than typically found in someone who just suffered a heart attack, severe burns over a major part of the body, extreme trauma (e.g., car accident), etc.
*Assuming that you're doing them at ~100% of FTP, and that the relationship between your FTP and your VO2max is average.