The Relationship Between Power-Based Training Variables and Individual Time Trial Performance in Women's Cycling

Abstract

Performance during the individual time trial and climbing events during stage races in professional road cycling often have the greatest influence on the final individual standings. However, the relationship between power-based training variables and performance in women's individual time trials during actual competition is not clear. PURPOSE: The goal of this investigation was to determine the correlation of anaerobic and aerobic power-based measures derived from training with race performances their predictive capabilities to race performance. METHODS: Power meter data from training sessions and racing during the 3 wks prior to each stage race and the competition was collected from eight international level professional female road cyclists (age = 31.1 ±3.3 yrs, mass = 56.1 ±2.8 kg) who had finished at least 4 of the 5 stage races that were part of the 2005 USCF National Racing Calendar series. The highest 1MMP (minute mean maximal power), 5MMP and 20MMP from the 3-wk period prior to each event were used to derive critical power (CP). Stepwise linear regression was conducted for each time trial with CP and 30MMP (W and W/kg) as the independent variables to determine the best predictor of performance time. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The overall mean CP ranged from 4.2 to 4.8 W/kg while the 30MMP ranged from 4.3 to 5.0 W/kg. Critical power (W/kg) was the best predictor overall for performance time for all five of the events analyzed in the study (Race 1: adj. R2 = 0.604, p < 0.024; Race 2: 0.764, p < 0.006; Race 3: 0.704, p < 0.023; Race 4: 0.980, p < 0.001; Race 5: 0.784, p < 0.005). The standard estimate of errors (SEE) for the prediction of performance times using CP (W/kg) were ±51, ±18, ±61, ±6, and ± 10s for mean performance times of 1028 ±82, 640 ± 36, 2614 ± 112, 986 ± 39, and 465 ± 21 s, respectively. The inclusion of 30MMP (W/kg) with CP (W/kg) marginally, though significant, improved the SEE for one uphill time trial by 7 s. CONCLUSION: Critical power (W/kg) derived from power outputs produced during training and racing prior to competition was a better predictor of the uphill and hilly terrain time trial events used in this study when compared to 30MMP (W and W/kg) and CP (W). Coaches and athletes could use CP to better prepare for similar time trial events and potentially use CP as a measurement for talent identification.