Laboratory predictors of uphill cycling performance in trained cyclists. Issue 14 (18th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bossi, Arthur Henrique; Lima, Pedro; Lima, Jorge Perrout de; Hopker, James
• Is Part Of: Journal of sports sciences. Volume 35:Issue 14(2017)
• Page Start: 1364
• Page End: 1371
• Publication Date: 2017-07-18
• Subjects: Power output -- field test -- VO2max -- pacing strategy -- self-paced exercise; Sports -- Periodicals; Sports -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 612.044
• DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2016.1182199
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-0414

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to assess the relationship between an uphill time-trial (TT) performance and both aerobic and anaerobic parameters obtained from laboratory tests. Fifteen cyclists performed a Wingate anaerobic test, a graded exercise test (GXT) and a field-based 20-min TT with 2.7% mean gradient. After a 5-week non-supervised training period, 10 of them performed a second TT for analysis of pacing reproducibility. Stepwise multiple regressions demonstrated that 91% of TT mean power output variation (W kg −1 ) could be explained by peak oxygen uptake (ml kg −1. min −1 ) and the respiratory compensation point (W kg −1 ), with standardised beta coefficients of 0.64 and 0.39, respectively. The agreement between mean power output and power at respiratory compensation point showed a bias ± random error of 16.2 ± 51.8 W or 5.7 ± 19.7%. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed a significant effect of the time interval (123.1 ± 8.7; 97.8 ± 1.2 and 94.0 ± 7.2% of mean power output, for epochs 0–2, 2–18 and 18–20 min, respectively; P < 0.001), characterising a positive pacing profile. This study indicates that an uphill, 20-min TT-type performance is correlated to aerobic physiological GXT variables and that cyclists adopt reproducible pacing strategies when they are tested 5 weeks apart (coefficients of variation of 6.3; 1 and 4%, for 0–2, 2–18 and 18–20 min, respectively).