Durability in Professional Cyclists: A Field Study.

Abstract

To assess durability in professional cyclists, as well as potential associated indicators. 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 4h, 40kJ/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. 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). Performance is significantly impaired after a certain amount of work completed (approximately 40kJ·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.