Teun van Erp1, Dajo Sanders, Robert P Lamberts. 1. Department of Sport Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa Department of Human Movement Science, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate if performance measures are related to success in professional cycling and to highlight the influence of work done on these performance measures and success. METHODS: Power output data from 26 professional cyclists, in total 85 seasons, collected between 2012-2019, were analysed. The cyclists were classified as 'climber' or 'sprinter' and into category.1 (CAT.1) (≥400PSCpoints [successful]) and CAT.2 (<400PSCpoints [less successful]), based on the number of procyclingstats-points collected for that particular season (PSCpoints). Maximal mean power output (MMP) for 20min, 5min, 1min and 10sec relative to bodyweight for every season were determined. To investigate the influence of prior work done on these MMPs, six different work done levels were determined which are based on a certain amount of completed kilojoules per kilogram (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50kJ·kg-1). Subsequently, the decline in MMP for each duration (if any) after these work done levels was evaluated. RESULTS: Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed that work done affects the performance of climbers and sprinters negatively. However, CAT.1 climbers have a smaller decline in 20min and 5min MMP after high amounts of work done compared to CAT.2 climbers. Similarly, CAT.1 sprinters have a smaller decline in 10sec and 1min MMP after high amounts of work done compared to CAT.2 sprinters. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that the ability to maintain high MMPs (corresponding with the specialization of a cyclist) after high amounts of work done (i.e. fatigue) is an important parameter for success in professional cyclists. These findings suggest that assessing changes in MMPs after different workloads might be highly relevant in professional cycling.
INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate if performance measures are related to success in professional cycling and to highlight the influence of work done on these performance measures and success. METHODS: Power output data from 26 professional cyclists, in total 85 seasons, collected between 2012-2019, were analysed. The cyclists were classified as 'climber' or 'sprinter' and into category.1 (CAT.1) (≥400PSCpoints [successful]) and CAT.2 (<400PSCpoints [less successful]), based on the number of procyclingstats-points collected for that particular season (PSCpoints). Maximal mean power output (MMP) for 20min, 5min, 1min and 10sec relative to bodyweight for every season were determined. To investigate the influence of prior work done on these MMPs, six different work done levels were determined which are based on a certain amount of completed kilojoules per kilogram (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50kJ·kg-1). Subsequently, the decline in MMP for each duration (if any) after these work done levels was evaluated. RESULTS: Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed that work done affects the performance of climbers and sprinters negatively. However, CAT.1 climbers have a smaller decline in 20min and 5min MMP after high amounts of work done compared to CAT.2 climbers. Similarly, CAT.1 sprinters have a smaller decline in 10sec and 1min MMP after high amounts of work done compared to CAT.2 sprinters. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that the ability to maintain high MMPs (corresponding with the specialization of a cyclist) after high amounts of work done (i.e. fatigue) is an important parameter for success in professional cyclists. These findings suggest that assessing changes in MMPs after different workloads might be highly relevant in professional cycling.
Authors: Lidia B Alejo; Almudena Montalvo-Pérez; Pedro L Valenzuela; Carlos Revuelta; Laureano M Ozcoidi; Víctor de la Calle; Manuel Mateo-March; Alejandro Lucia; Alfredo Santalla; David Barranco-Gil Journal: Front Physiol Date: 2022-08-05 Impact factor: 4.755