Ziemba, A. W., Chwalbinska-Moneta, J., Kaciuba-Uscilko, H., Kruk, B., Krezeminski, K., Cybulski, G., & Nazar, K. (2003). Early effects of short-term aerobic training. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 43, 57-63.

This study investigated the early responses to moderate training in familiar and unfamiliar activities. Sedentary males (N = 12) trained for three weeks on a cycle ergometer, 3-4 times per week, for 45 minutes at 70% VO2max intensity. Ss were tested twice before training and then after one and three weeks of training.

After one week of training, HR declined and continued to do so over the remaining weeks. Maximal workload, lactate concentration, and EMG thresholds increased after three weeks.

Implication. Heart rate responses were the earliest indications of training adaptation. Familiarization showed accelerated responses in some muscle groups but not in others. The muscle groups most involved in the exercise (rectus femoris) did not respond differently although one might expect them to because of familiarization.

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