The Role of Pedaling Intensity During Torque Training in Cyclists: A Three‐Arm Randomized Controlled Trial

) were randomly allocated into a control group that kept their habitual cycling training (n = 15), or to two groups that added two weekly torque sessions performed with either a high relative load (HIGH-Load [n = 16], all-out pedaling cycles against 70% of the maximum dynamic force); or low relative load (LOW-Load [n = 15], 4-min intervals against 35% of the maximum dynamic force). Outcomes included performance indicators (i.e., maximum aerobic power [MAP], ventilatory thresholds, efficiency, time to exhaustion at the respiratory compensation point), body composition and quadriceps' morphological parameters. In within-group analyses, only HIGH-Load improved Wingate peak and mean power (p < 0.001), endurance indicators (MAP and ventilatory thresholds, p < 0.05) and quadriceps' cross-sectional area (p = 0.030). Larger improvements were observed for HIGH-Load compared to controls for Wingate peak and mean power and for quadriceps' CSA (all p < 0.01). In turn, no significant within-group differences were observed in LOW-Load, and between-group differences compared to controls were only found for Wingate mean power (p = 0.008). No significant differences were found between LOW and HIGH-Load despite moderate effect sizes for some outcomes (Cohen's d > 0.5 for MAP, Wingate performance and TTE). In summary, HIGH-Load torque training seems to improve different performance indicators and muscle morphology among well-trained cyclists, although its superiority compared to other torque training interventions should be confirmed in larger studies.