2.5. Repeated Sprint Ability
RPE, fatigue
Participants completed a repeated sprint test on a friction-loaded cycle ergometer (Monark 894E, Stockholm, Sweden). Following a two-minute warm-up cycling between 50 and 60 rpm against a resistance of 0.5 kg, a subsequent warm-up of two 30-s bouts of cycling between 85 and 115 rpm at a resistance of 1.5 kg was completed, with 60 s of passive rest in between. After the warm-up, participants completed 10 six-second maximal sprints at 65 g/kg body weight, with 30 s of passive recovery in between. Peak power (PP), fatigue index (FI), and average power (AP) were calculated by the manufacturer’s software. HR and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) per sprint were recorded. Reliability for AP and FI from our laboratory is as follows: (AP: ICC = 0.97, SEM = 120.8 W; FI: ICC = 0.97, SEM = 4.0%). 