I recenlty got my level 3 certification for coaching cycling and I had a question about sprint training. I used to coach swimming and was a D 1 swimmer and I also ran track. Now I am more focused on cycling and alot of the literature I have read reagarding sprint training in cycling is that when doing all out sprints the rider should take alot of rest. Some of the books and articles I have read are saying up to 10 minutes. Why is that? Its just something I am not used to becuase sprint training in other disciplines is different in that there is usually less rest.

There's sprinting and then there's sprinting.

If the goal is to coordinate the neuromuscular system in hopes of raising efficiency, then you want the muscles and nerves to be well rested, else you will teach them bad form as your leg muscles start to become overwhelmed by hydrogen ions.

If the goal is to improve the anaerobic system's lactate buffering, then you'll want short rests, so that you force the muscles to buffer progressively higher lactate levels (i.e., buffer down the hydrogen ions using the body's own bicarbonate buffering system).

Train for power - long rest intervals
Increase anaerobic endurance - short rest intervals

Thank you for speeeking eenglish.

thanks for the replies...i get the differance now...