Table 1. Mean training load measured for both OR (N=9) and WT (N=9) groups during the 6-week overload training period and the seven-day taper period (mean±SD).

Table 3 displays the physiological variables that changed significantly during the 6-week overload training period. There were significant main effects observed in over time (P<0.05) and between groups (P<0.05) during the 6-week training period. Repeated contrasts demonstrated a significant decrease over time, with the OR group being significantly lower compared to the WT group at the end of the 6-week overload training period. No significant differences were observed between groups with 6 weeks of overload training in any of the other physiological variables. However, significant reductions were observed at the completion of the 6-week overload training period in maximal aerobic speed, HRmax, body mass, skinfolds and peak cycling power (P<0.05). No significant changes were observed in vertical jump, [La−]b,peak,or mean power output,

and mean relative anaerobic capacity measured during a 10-s sprint. Table 4 shows the physiological, biochemical and psychological variables that changed significantly as a group (i.e. OR and WT groups combined) during the 6-week training period.