<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!--
  High Torque Training — Zwift workout
  Last updated: 2026-05-23

  Site:      https://high-torque.jelen.dk/
  Calendar:  https://high-torque.jelen.dk/content/workouts.md
  Rationale: https://high-torque.jelen.dk/content/rationale.md
  LLMs:      https://high-torque.jelen.dk/llms.txt
-->
<workout_file>
    <author>Tom Jelen</author>
    <name>HIIT Intro 110%</name>
    <activitySaveName>High Torque: HIIT Intro - 3x3min ~110% FTP @ 60-70 rpm</activitySaveName>
    <description>Introduction to VO2max-intensity torque work, scaled from the Hebisz &amp; Hebisz (2024) study protocol. Three 3-minute intervals at ~110% FTP and 60-70 rpm, with 7-minute recovery between each. Fewer reps and shorter intervals than the full study protocol. Seated throughout.</description>
    <sportType>bike</sportType>
    <tags />
    <workout>
        <Warmup Duration="900" PowerLow="0.40" PowerHigh="0.75">
            <textevent timeoffset="30" duration="30" message="Source: Hebisz &amp; Hebisz (2024), scaled. The study used 4x4 min at 90-100% of maximal aerobic power (~110% FTP), 60-70 rpm. This is a shorter intro: 3x3 min." />
            <textevent timeoffset="90" duration="20" message="Full research and protocol rationale at high-torque.jelen.dk" />
            <textevent timeoffset="120" duration="25" message="Important: the study uses 60-70 rpm for HIIT — not 50-60. The higher cadence range is deliberate, different from SIT sprints which use 50-60." />
            <textevent timeoffset="240" duration="25" message="The study found +8.7% VO2max in the low-cadence group vs +4.6% in the normal-cadence group. The largest gains came from combining low cadence with high intensity." />
            <textevent timeoffset="420" duration="25" message="All intervals are SEATED. Target cadence: 60-70 rpm. This is VO2max power — it will be hard. But it's only 3 minutes per interval." />
            <textevent timeoffset="600" duration="25" message="If your knees ache at any point, stop the interval immediately. VO2max power at low cadence is the highest-stress combination." />
            <textevent timeoffset="780" message="3 intervals coming up. 7 minutes recovery between each — use it fully." />
        </Warmup>

        <SteadyState Duration="180" Power="1.10" Cadence="65">
            <textevent timeoffset="10" message="GO. ~110% FTP, 60-70 rpm. Stay seated. 3 minutes." />
            <textevent timeoffset="90" message="Halfway. Hold the cadence — don't let it creep up." />
            <textevent timeoffset="150" message="30 seconds left. Stay seated." />
        </SteadyState>

        <SteadyState Duration="420" Power="0.50">
            <textevent timeoffset="10" message="Recovery. Spin easy for 7 minutes. Let heart rate come down." />
            <textevent timeoffset="60" duration="25" message="Combining low cadence with high intensity recruits both slow-twitch and fast-twitch muscle fibers simultaneously. That double demand is the mechanism." />
            <textevent timeoffset="180" duration="25" message="The study used 8-minute recovery for 4-minute intervals. This scaled version uses 7 minutes for 3-minute intervals." />
        </SteadyState>

        <SteadyState Duration="180" Power="1.10" Cadence="65">
            <textevent timeoffset="10" message="Interval 2. ~110% FTP, 60-70 rpm. Stay seated." />
            <textevent timeoffset="90" message="Halfway. This is supposed to be hard — VO2max intensity is the right stimulus." />
            <textevent timeoffset="150" message="30 seconds left. Hold the cadence." />
        </SteadyState>

        <SteadyState Duration="420" Power="0.50">
            <textevent timeoffset="10" message="Recovery. Two down, one to go." />
            <textevent timeoffset="180" message="Knees still okay? Last interval next." />
        </SteadyState>

        <SteadyState Duration="180" Power="1.10" Cadence="65">
            <textevent timeoffset="10" message="Final interval. ~110% FTP, 60-70 rpm. Stay seated." />
            <textevent timeoffset="90" message="Halfway. Last effort. Stay down — don't stand." />
            <textevent timeoffset="150" message="30 seconds left. Finish it." />
        </SteadyState>

        <Cooldown Duration="600" PowerLow="0.50" PowerHigh="0.40">
            <textevent timeoffset="30" message="Cool down. Easy spin." />
            <textevent timeoffset="120" duration="25" message="When this feels manageable, move to the full 4x4 min HIIT VO2max session in Tier 3 — the actual study protocol." />
            <textevent timeoffset="300" duration="25" message="Henderson: musculoskeletal load is the main limiter, not cardiovascular. Allow at least one normal-cadence day before your next torque session." />
        </Cooldown>
    </workout>
</workout_file>
