This title is misleading/clickbait. It really has little to do with the cycle.

"New research led by Newcastle University has shown that it is the volume of water used during the wash cycle, rather than the spinning action of the washing machine, which is the key factor in the release of plastic microfibres from clothes."

So it depends on the washing machine. Not all will use more water for the delicate cycle.

Frigging hate such misleading bullshit.