Abstract
Nowadays, the evaluation of physiological characteristics and training load quantification in road cycling is frequently performed through power meter data analyses, but the scientific evidence behind this tool is scarce and often contradictory. The aim of this paper is to review the literature related to power profiling, functional threshold testing, and performance assessment based on power meter data. A literature search was conducted following preferred reporting items for review statement (PRISMA) on the topic of {“cyclist” OR “cycling” AND “functional threshold” OR “power meter”}. The reviewed evidence provided important insights regarding power meter-based training: (a) functional threshold testing is closely related to laboratory markers of steady state; (b) the 20-min protocol represents the most researched option for functional threshold testing, although shorter durations may be used if verified on an individual basis; (c) power profiling obtained through the recovery of recorded power outputs allows the categorization and assessment of the cyclist’s fitness level; and (d) power meters represent an alternative to laboratory tests for the assessment of the relationship between power output and cadence. This review elucidates the increasing amount of studies related to power profiling, functional threshold testing, and performance assessment based on power meter data, highlighting the opportunity for the expanding knowledge that power meters have brought in the road cycling field.
Highlights
Road cycling is an extremely demanding endurance sport characterized by its cyclic nature, large training volumes, and high intensities [1]
To obtain an overview of the methodologies used to study functional threshold threshold power power (FTP), power profiling, and power-based training zones, a broad search was performed for topics relating to cycling and Mobileperformance power meters (Mpm) using the keywords “cyclist,”
When considering final inclusion in this review, each paper’s relevance to the following question was considered: does this document add to the field of Mpm-based cycling training and performance assessment? Stemming from this question, the following inclusion criteria were used: (a) studies related to power meter-based performance assessment; (b) samples of healthy trained and untrained participants; and (c) publication date between
Summary
Road cycling is an extremely demanding endurance sport characterized by its cyclic nature, large training volumes, and high intensities [1]. Different types of riders specialized in specific events and efforts have appeared: time trialists [3,4], sprinters [5], and grand tour riders [6] are some examples. These differences have implications for the evaluation of training characteristics and load quantification, which are currently performed through several laboratory and field methods [7,8]. Previous research has shown that such methods present moderate to substantial differences compared to heart rate monitoring [7,11,12,13]. Heart rate-based assessments are linked to several setbacks, such as the underestimation of neuromuscular and anaerobic efforts, delayed response to the stimuli, and difficulties for the precise assessment of intermittent efforts [14,15,16]
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