Behind every upload, Vekta’s AI engine gets to work: automatically detecting intervals, classifying intensity, and assigning a training stimulus based on real session data.

1. Interval Detection

Vekta automatically detects all meaningful intervals in your session, from short sprints to extended efforts at threshold or beyond.

Each interval is analyzed based on:

Duration
Power relative to your Critical Power (CP)
Cadence and torque characteristics

Detected intervals are then tagged with meaningful intensity labels and additional descriptors to reflect the true nature of the effort.

Interval Intensity

Each interval is assigned a precise Intensity Type based on its physiological demands. This classification helps you understand which energy systems were engaged and what adaptations were likely targeted.

Intensity	Primary Aim	Domain	Typical Duration	Typical Intensity
Neuromuscular	Peak Power & Force development	Extreme	Less than 20 secs	> 180% of Critical Power
Anaerobic	Anaerobic capacity & fast-twitch muscle fiber development	Severe → Extreme	20 secs to 3 mins	130 to 180% of Critical Power
VO2max	Maximum Aerobic Power development	Severe	30 secs to 8 mins	105 to 130% of Critical Power
Threshold	Critical Power development	Heavy → Severe	Less than 60 mins	90 to 105% of Critical Power
Tempo	Endurance development	Moderate → Heavy	More than 10 mins	70 to 90% of Critical Power
Aerobic	Endurance development	Light / Moderate	More than 10 mins	< 70% of Critical Power

Interval Characteristics

In addition to the primary intensity classification, Vekta can tag intervals with extra attributes:

Max [Max] – Performed at/near all-out effort or peak power
High Torque [Trq] – Low cadence, high resistance; strength focus
High Cadence [Cad] – Fast pedaling at low resistance
Progressive [Prg] – Gradually increasing power, cadence, or torque
Dynamic [Dyn] – Variable intensity with high fluctuations

2. Training Stimulus Classification

Once intervals are identified and classified, Vekta determines the overall training stimulus of the session, the dominant physiological demand.

This allows you to see at a glance what the session was really doing for you, and how it fits into your broader training progression.

Training Stimulus	Description	Goal	Physiological Focus
Neuromuscular	Short, extreme-intensity bursts	Max force and peak power	Neuromuscular system; anaerobic
Anaerobic	High-intensity efforts under 3 min	Anaerobic capacity; fast-twitch muscle fiber	Anaerobic glycolytic system
VO2max	Intervals near or at VO2max	Maximum aerobic power	Cardiovascular efficiency; oxygen uptake
Threshold	Sustained efforts near Critical Power	Improve CP and metabolic fitness	Aerobic glycolytic system
Tempo	Moderate to heavy-intensity	Endurance	Aerobic system; sub-threshold stress
Aerobic	Low to moderate-intensity sessions	Base endurance and aerobic efficiency	Aerobic oxidative system
Recovery	Very low-intensity sessions	Muscle recovery; restore readiness	Tissue repair; metabolic clearance
Lactate Clearance	Alternating high and low efforts	Lactate removal under load	Lactate shuttling and aerobic support
Durability	Efforts performed deep into fatigue	Resistance to fatigue over time	Mixed systems; late-session performance
Activation	Low overall load, short bursts	Pre-race prep	Neural and system-wide activation
Test	Max all-out efforts	Benchmarking	Performance testing and profiling
Race	Variable, high intensity	Apply performance in competition	Engages all systems under real stress

How Vekta Uses Training Stimuli

Once Vekta detects the intervals in your session, it assigns the most relevant training stimulus based on the intensity, duration, and energy systems engaged. For example, a session that includes intense sprint intervals will likely be associated with a Neuromuscular stimulus, while a long, steady-state ride may be classified as an Aerobic stimulus.

If your session includes multiple types of intervals or intensity ranges, Vekta will assign the most significant stimulus.

Why Training Stimuli Matter

Understanding the training stimuli behind each session helps athletes and coaches align sessions with broader training goals. Whether you're working on building endurance, sharpening your race-day performance, or focusing on recovery, each stimulus is directly tied to physiological changes that occur as a result of targeted training.

By paying attention to the stimuli in your sessions, you can:

Optimize Training Load: Ensure you're balancing high-intensity efforts with adequate recovery.
Target-Specific Adaptations: Tailor your training to improve endurance, power, or lactate clearance based on your needs.
Track Progress: See how your training evolves and how different stimuli contribute to long-term performance gains.

3. Race Detection

Vekta automatically analyzes the structure of your session to determine if it’s a race, based on the stochasticity and intensity of your power output. Once detected as a race, the session is further classified by race type, such as:

Individual Time Trial (ITT)
Flat Stage
Hilly Stage
Mountain Stage

Intervals, Session & Race Classification