Model of 30-s sprint cycling performance: Don’t forget the aerobic contribution!

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Current practice in coaching track cycling sprint athletes is a focus on a very narrow band of power output from 1-4 seconds. However, there is a small oxidative contribution to sprint performance as short as 10-s, and this contribution increases as a rider competes in multiple events. All Olympic track cycling events demand repeated sprint performance! Purpose: This study models sprint-cycling performance to investigate the role of durations requiring a high oxidative contribution to energy supply and their relationship to sprint-cycling power durations. It hypothesizes power at endurance durations are strongly related to power at sprint durations, and further, these relationships may be nonlinear and saturable. Methods: Power meter data was used from 89 participants (192 datasets) to model fit the data using 4 different models (exponential, linear, parabolic, and power) using total least-squares. All data was based on a (0,0) start point acknowledging neither glycolytic or oxidative pathways operate independently. Dependent variables were 15 and 30 second power, and predictor variables 2, 8 and 20 minute power. Results: All four models yielded high r2 values (r2 > 0.81), and the exponential and linear models in particular. Strong correlations for all models demonstrates the role of oxidative power duration on performance over short durations. The linear model was the best model based on consistent, high r2 values and model simplicity, validating the first hypothesis, but nullifying the second. Conclusion: The results show maximal performance in sprint-cycling durations of 15 and 30 seconds are strongly related to maximal performance in 2, 8, and 20 minute power, and training at these durations does not diminish performance, and with a season, training maximally at these durations complements performance. These results match physiological studies showing oxidative pathways play a major role in sprint and repeated sprint efforts.