Abstract
Cycling is a popular sport, and evaluation of the validity of tests to predict performance in competitions is important for athletes and coaches. Similarity between performance in sprints in mass-start bike races and in the laboratory is found, but, to our knowledge, no studies have investigated the relationship between laboratory measurements of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and functional threshold power (FTP) with performance in official mass-start competitions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of a 20 min FTP test and VO2max as predictors for performance in an official mountain bike competition. Eleven moderately trained male cyclists at a local level participated in this study (age: 43 ± 5.1 years; height: 183.4 ± 5.4 m; weight: 84.4 ± 8.7 kg; body mass index: 25.1 ± 2.1). All subjects performed a 20 min FTP test in the laboratory to measure the mean power. In addition, the subjects completed an incremental test to exhaustion to determine VO2max. These two laboratory tests were analyzed together with the results from a 47 km mass-start mountain bike race, with a total elevation of 851 m. A significant relationship was found between the mean relative power (W/kg) for the 20 min FTP test and performance time in the race (r = −0.74, P < 0.01). No significant correlation was found between VO2max and cycling performance for these subjects (r = −0.37). These findings indicate that a 20 min FTP test is a more valid test for prediction of performance in mass-start bike races than a VO2max test for moderately trained cyclists.
Highlights
Cyclists are characterized by their ability to produce high power during competitions lasting from 30 min to 6 h [1]
Similar correlations were found when investigating the relationship between peak power output (PPO), VO2max, and performance time in a 20 km time trial (TT) for trained
This study found a significant association between mean relative functional threshold power (FTP) and official race time (r = 0.74, p = 0.01)
Summary
Cyclists are characterized by their ability to produce high power during competitions lasting from 30 min to 6 h [1]. The considerable variability of cycling tests makes it difficult for athletes and coaches to choose the most appropriate one for predicting competition performance [2]. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max ) is probably the predictor that is tested the most for athletes in endurance-based sports. Testing of VO2max is common because high oxygen uptake is an established indicator of aerobic endurance [3]. A high correlation between VO2max and functional threshold power (FTP, i.e., the highest power a cyclist can maintain in a quasi-steady state without fatiguing for approximately 1 h [4]) was found when testing untrained recreational cyclists and moderately trained cyclists [5]. Similar correlations were found when investigating the relationship between peak power output (PPO), VO2max , and performance time in a 20 km time trial (TT) for trained
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