Myth number 1: Fitness means endurance.
Dr Stefan Siebert from the German Sport University Cologne: That is wrong. Fitness is just an umbrella term for: Strength, speed, agility and endurance.
Myth number 2: Only short and high-intensity interval training increases endurance.
Dr Stefan Siebert: Training should correspond to the duration of the race. Cross-country riders who are training for a race therefore need to train short, high-intensity intervals much more often. Marathon bikers, on the other hand, should train more long basic units.
Myth number 3: High cadence conserves energy.
Dr Stefan Siebert: Yes, because the faster I pedal, the less power I have to exert to achieve the same performance. In other words, it is less strenuous. If you specifically want to train strength endurance, choose a heavy gear and a low cadence.
Myth number 4: A lot of training helps a lot.
Dr Stefan Siebert: This is not a myth: a lot helps a lot - as long as the training is organised correctly. However, regeneration times are at least as important - the body needs a break from time to time.
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Laurin Lehner
Editor
