Durability in Professional Cyclists: A Field Study

  1. Valenzuela, Pedro L. 23
  2. Alejo, Lidia B. 34
  3. Ozcoidi, Laureano M. 5
  4. Lucia, Alejandro 34
  5. Santalla, Alfredo 1
  6. Barranco-Gil, David 4
  1. 1 Universidad Pablo de Olavide
    info

    Universidad Pablo de Olavide

    Sevilla, España

    ROR https://ror.org/02z749649

  2. 2 Universidad de Alcalá
    info

    Universidad de Alcalá

    Alcalá de Henares, España

    ROR https://ror.org/04pmn0e78

  3. 3 Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre
    info

    Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre

    Madrid, España

  4. 4 Universidad Europea de Madrid
    info

    Universidad Europea de Madrid

    Madrid, España

    ROR https://ror.org/04dp46240

  5. 5 Caja Rural Professional Team, Navarra, Spain
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Revista:
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance

ISSN: 1555-0265,  1555-0273

Año de publicación: 2023

Volumen: 18

Número: 1

Páginas: 99-103

Tipo: Artículo

DOI: 10.1123/IJSPP.2022-0202 GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openAcceso abierto editor

Otras publicaciones en: International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance

Objetivos de desarrollo sostenible

Resumen

Purpose: To assess durability in professional cyclists, as well as potential associated indicators. Methods: Twelve male professional cyclists participated in the study (age: 26 [5] y, VO2max: 83.0 [3.6] mL·kg−1·min−1). They performed a 20-minute time trial (TT) on 2 different sessions separated by a 48-hour period: (1) with no previous fatigue (TTFresh) and (2) immediately after a long submaximal ride (approximately 4 h, 40 kJ/kg) (TTFatigue). We then assessed the decay (in percentage) in mean power output (PO) from TTFresh to TTFatigue and its association with different laboratory-based endurance indicators (ventilatory threshold, peak PO, and VO2max) determined through a previous maximal incremental cycling test, as well as with training loads during the 4 weeks preceding the TTs. Results: While no differences were noted in the average heart rate (177 [7] vs 176 [6] beats·min–1, P = .118), there was a significant decay in PO between TTFresh and TTFatigue (386 [29] W vs 375 [28] W [−2.9%], respectively; P = .007), albeit with signs of interindividual variability (range = −8.5% to 1.1%; coefficient of variation = 105%). No significant associations were found between the PO decay and any of the analyzed indicators (all P > .05). Conclusions: Performance is significantly impaired after a certain amount of work completed (approximately 40 kJ·kg–1) in professional cyclists, and the magnitude of this impairment seems to be not related to “traditional” laboratory-based endurance indicators or to markers of training load. These findings might support the need for specifically assessing durability in cyclists and confirming potential determinants of this parameter.

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