Figure 1.

Training protocols: interval training (a) and moderate continuous training (b). The interval training programme consisted of seven cycles of 5 min of moderate speed (i.e. 12 m/min), then 2 min of intensive running (i.e. 20 m/min) and 1 min of passive recovery (i.e. treadmill stopped), and the training session finished by 4 min of moderate speed. Both training sessions lasted 1 h per day, 5 days a week. Running speeds correspond to the averaged speeds during all the protocols, expressed in metres per minute (m/min). Corresponding speeds for each week and training are reported in Table 1.