The Science of Cycling

The Work Rate Corresponding to Ventilatory Threshold During Steady-State and Ramp Exercise

Purpose:

The work rate (WR) corresponding to ventilatory threshold (VT) is an appropriate intensity for regenerative and low-intensity training sessions. During incremental ramp exercise, VO2 increase lags behind WR increase. Traditionally, a VO2 time delay (td) of 45 seconds is used to calculate the WR at VT from such tests. Considerable inaccuracies were observed when using this constant td. Therefore, this study aimed at reinvestigating the temporal relationship between VO2 and WR at VT.

Methods:

20 subjects (VO2peak 49.9 to 72.6 mL · min–1 · kg–1) performed a ramp test in order to determine VT and a subsequent steady-state test during which WR was adjusted to elicit the VO2 corresponding to VT. The difference in WR and heart rate at VT was calculated between the ramp and the steady-state test (WRdiff, HRdiff) as well as the time delay corresponding to WRdiff during ramp exercise.

Results:

Mean values were td = 85 ± 26 seconds (range 38 to 144), WRdiff = 45 ± 12 W (range 23 to 67), HRdiff = 1 ± 9 beats/min (range –21 to +15). The limits of agreement for the difference between WR at VT during ramp and steady-state exercise were ± 24 W. No signifi cant influence on td, WRdiff, or HRdiff from differences in endurance capacity (VO2peak and VT; P > .10 for all correlations) or ramp increment (P = .26, .49, and .85, respectively) were observed.

Conclusion:

The wide ranges of td, WRdiff, and HRdiff prevent the derivation of exact training guidelines from single-ramp tests. It is advisable to perform a steady-state test to exactly determine the WR corresponding to VT.

Selective training-induced thigh muscles hypertrophy in professional road cyclists

Muscular adaptations linked to a high volume and intensity of training have been scarcely reported. We aimed at documenting, using MRI, the cross-sectional area changes associated with a high volume and intensity of training in 11 thigh muscles of a population of professional road cyclists as compared with sport science students. We were also interested in determining, whether selective muscle hypertrophy in professional road cyclists, if any, was correlated to selective exercise-induced T (2) changes during a pedaling exercise on a cycloergometer. Cross-sectional area of 11 thigh muscles was quantified in sixteen subjects (i.e. eight professional road cyclists and eight sport science students) using MRI. In addition, transverse relaxation times (T (2)) were measured before and just after a maximal standardized constant-load exercise in order to investigate exercise-related T (2) changes in these muscles. Professional road cyclists had a significantly higher relative amount of muscle (including the whole set of thigh muscles, 90.5+/-3.3%) as compared to controls (81.6+/-7.3%). Regarding relative values expressed with respect to the total thigh muscles CSA, Vastus lateralis and Biceps femoris CSA were significantly larger in cyclists whereas CSA of the Vastus intermedius was smaller. However, this selective hypertrophy was not correlated to the exercise-induced T (2)-increase. We have reported, for the first time, a selective hypertrophy of Vastus lateralis and Biceps femoris in professional road cyclists confirming their involvement in pedaling task and suggesting a possible cause-effect relationship between muscle activation and hypertrophy, associated with a specific pedaling skill.

A Prediction Model for Peak Power Output From Different Incremental Exercise Tests

Context:

There is currently no model that predicts peak power output (PPO) thereby allowing comparison between different incremental exercise test (EXT) protocols. In this study we have used the critical power profile to develop a mathematical model for predicting PPO from the results of different EXTs.

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to examine the level of agreement between actual PPO values and those predicted from the new model.

Methods:

Eleven male athletes (age 25 ± 5 years, VO2max 62 ± 8 mL · kg–1 · min–1) completed 3 laboratory tests on a cycle ergometer. Each test comprised an EXT consisting of 1-minute workload increments of 30 W (EXT30/1) and 3-minute (EXT25/3) and 5-minute workload increments (EXT25/5) of 25 W. The PPO determined from each test was used to predict the PPO from the remaining 2 EXTs.

Results:

The differences between actual and predicted PPO values were statistically insignificant (P > .05). The random error components of the limits of agreement of ≤30 W also indicated acceptable levels of agreement between actual and predicted PPO values.

Conclusions:

Further data collection is necessary to confirm whether the model is able to predict PPO over a wide range of EXT protocols in athletes of different aerobic and anaerobic capacities.

The Science of Cycling

This review presents information that is useful to athletes, coaches and exercise scientists in the adoption of exercise protocols, prescription of training regimens and creation of research designs. Part 2 focuses on the factors that affect cycling performance. Among those factors, aerodynamic resistance is the major resistance force the racing cyclist must overcome. This challenge can be dealt with through equipment technological modifications and body position configuration adjustments. To successfully achieve efficient transfer of power from the body to the drive train of the bicycle the major concern is bicycle configuration and cycling body position. Peak power output appears to be highly correlated with cycling success. Likewise, gear ratio and pedalling cadence directly influence cycling economy/efficiency. Knowledge of muscle recruitment throughout the crank cycle has important implications for training and body position adjustments while climbing. A review of pacing models suggests that while there appears to be some evidence in favour of one technique over another, there remains the need for further field research to validate the findings. Nevertheless, performance modelling has important implications for the establishment of performance standards and consequent recommendations for training.