Decrescent intensity training concurrently improves maximal anaerobic power, maximal accumulated oxygen deficit, and maximal oxygen uptake

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a gradually decreasing intensity training from that corresponding tomaximal anaerobic power (MAnP) to that of near maximal oxygen uptake ( ̇VO2max) (decrescent intensity training) onMAnP, maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD), and ̇VO2maxin untrained young men. Seventeen untrainedyoung men were randomly divided into either a training (TR;n=9) group or a control (CON;n=8) group. The TRgroup performed the decrescent intensity training, whereas the CON group did not perform any exercises. The meantraining time per session throughout the training period was 275±135 s. There was a Group×Time interaction forboth absolute and relative (p<0.01) values of ̇VO2max, MAOD, and MAnP. The TR group had significantlyincreased values for all variables after the 8-week training program, and the relative values of all variables weresignificantly higher in the TR group than in the CON group. Muscle thicknesses in the anterior and posterior aspectsof the thigh and maximal isokinetic knee extension andflexion strengths improved only in the TR group (p<0.05).A single-exercise training with gradually decreasing intensity from that corresponding to the MAnP to that ofapproximately 100% ̇VO2maximproves MAnP, MAOD, and ̇VO2maxconcurrently, despite the short training time persession