Using Profile of Mood States (POMS) to monitor high-intensity training in cyclists: Group versus case studies

This study examined whether the Profile of Mood States questionnaire (POMS) is a useful tool for monitoring training stress in cycling athletes. Parti cipants (n = 11) completed the POMS weekly during six weeks of high-intensi ty interval cycling and a one-week taper. Cycling performance improved over the first three weeks of training, plateaued during Weeks 4 and 5, decreas ed slightly following Week 6, and then significantly increased during the o ne-week taper. Neither the high-intensity interval training nor the one-wee k taper significantly affected total mood or specific mood states. POMS dat a from two cyclists who did not show improved performance capabilities duri ng the taper (overtraining) were not distinctly unique when compared to cyc lists who did improve. Also, one cyclist, who on some days had the highest total mood disturbance, responded well to the taper and produced his best p ersonal effort during this time period. These findings raise questions abou t the usefulness of POMS to distinguish, at an individual level, between pe riods of productive and counterproductive high-intensity training.