Week | Intensity | Exercise | Rest time min | Sets |
Cycling | ||||
1–3 | 50% V′O2,max | 2 min | 2 | 10 |
4–6 | 50% V′O2,max | 3 min | 2 | 7 |
7–9 | 75% V′O2,max | 4 min | 2 | 6 |
10–12 | 75% V′O2,max | 5 min | 2 | 5 |
Quadriceps strength | ||||
1–3 | 50% ORM | 12 rep | 1 | 3 |
4–6 | 50% ORM | 13 rep | 1 | 3 |
7–9 | 75% ORM | 14 rep | 1 | 3 |
10–12 | 75% ORM | 15 rep | 1 | 3 |
Quadriceps endurance | ||||
1–3 | 30% ORM | 30 rep | 1 | 3 |
4–6 | 30% ORM | 40 rep | 1 | 4 |
7–9 | 40% ORM | 50 rep | 1 | 5 |
10–12 | 40% ORM | 60 rep | 1 | 6 |
V′O2,max: maximal oxygen uptake determined during cardiopulmonary exercise testing; ORM: one repetition maximum; rep: repetition. The exercise training consisted of cycle training (based on V′O2,max assessed at baseline measurements) and quadriceps training (based on ORM assessed on the first day of training).