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Int J Sports Med
DOI: 10.1055/a-2233-0454
Training & Testing

Time-course Changes of Field- and Laboratory-based Performance Indicators in Junior Cyclists Through a Season

Carlos Revuelta 
1   Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid Campus de Villaviciosa de Odón, Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain
,
Lidia B. Alejo 
2   Physical Activity and Health Research Group (PaHerg), Research Institute of Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
2   Physical Activity and Health Research Group (PaHerg), Research Institute of Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
,
Pedro L. Valenzuela 
2   Physical Activity and Health Research Group (PaHerg), Research Institute of Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
3   Systems Biology, Universidad de Alcala de Henares Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Alcala de Henares, Spain
,
Almudena Montalvo-Perez
1   Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid Campus de Villaviciosa de Odón, Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain
,
Víctor de la Calle
4   Junior Team, MMR Academy, Asturias, Spain
,
Alberto Agundez
1   Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid Campus de Villaviciosa de Odón, Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain
,
Alejandro Lucia
1   Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid Campus de Villaviciosa de Odón, Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain
2   Physical Activity and Health Research Group (PaHerg), Research Institute of Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
,
David Barranco-Gil 
1   Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid Campus de Villaviciosa de Odón, Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain
› Author Affiliations Fundings Spanish Mininstry of Economy and Competitiveness and Fondos Feder — PI18/00139 Instituto de Salud Carlos III — http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100004587; CD21/00138
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Abstract

This study aimed to assess the seasonal evolution of field-based and laboratory-based performance indicators in cyclists. Thirteen Junior male road cyclists (age 17.4±0.5 years) were followed up during a season, which was divided in three phases: early season (involving mainly training sessions), mid-season (including the first competitions), and late season (including the major competitions of the season). During each phase, field-based power output data were registered for the assessment of maximum mean power values, and laboratory-based endurance (ramp test and simulated 8-minute time trial), muscle strength/power (squat, lunge, hip thrust) and body composition indicators (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) were also assessed. A progressive (p<0.01) increase in maximum mean power values (e.g., 3.8±0.3 and 4.5±0.4 watts/kg in early and late season, respectively, for 60-minute efforts) and on 8-minute time trial performance (i.e., 5.3±0.3 and 5.6±0.4 watts/kg, respectively) was observed through the season. Yet, more “traditional” endurance indicators (i.e., ventilatory threshold, respiratory compensation point, or maximum oxygen uptake) seemed to show a ceiling effect beyond the mid-season. In addition, neither peak power output, body composition, nor muscle strength indicators followed a similar pattern to the aforementioned field-based indicators. In summary, in Junior cyclists field-based indicators seem more sensitive to monitor endurance cyclists’ changes in actual fitness and performance capacity than more “traditional” laboratory-based markers in Junior cyclists.

Key words

endurance - assessment - testing - cycling - monitoring


Publication History

Received: 17 October 2023

Accepted: 19 December 2023

Accepted Manuscript online:
19 December 2023

Article published online:
12 February 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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