Intensity of exercise during road race pro-cycling competition

Abstract

Cycling is a high intensity sport because approximately 93 min in flat and 123 min in mountain stages were above 70% of VO2max. In addition, the time spent at IAT was roughly 20 min regardless of stage type, suggesting that the anaerobic capacity limits performance.

Maltodextrin's Effect on the Performance of Elite Mountain Biking Athletes During Simulated Competition and on Power Output at the Ventilatory Threshold

“…A substantial number of scientific papers have been published describing the relationship exercise intensity and the effects of various CHO supplements during road cycling [19][20][21][22][23][24][25], but there are few scientific papers focused on the effect of maltodextrin supplementation in pre-competition or laboratory testing nor how it modifies off-road cycling performance parameters. Recent studies have found that carbohydrate drinks (glucose, maltose and sucrose administrated at 0.65 g/kg before a performance test and then 0.2 g/kg every 15 min during every 1 h of testing), when compared to a placebo (maltodextrin in low doses), increased plasma glucose levels but did not enhance performance during the test (a 1 h test) after glycogen-depletion protocol initiated [26].…”

Precooling and Warm-up Effects on Time Trial Cycling Performance During Heat Stress

“…Professional road cycling is a remarkable endurance sport, composed of multiple-stage competitions of variable distance (5-300 km) and intensit 2max ) intensity, modera -2max 2max ) was 70%, 25%, and 5%, respectively (Fernández-García et al, 2000). Flat stages are covered predominantly at low-moderate intensity.…”

“…For instance, high cardiovascular strain is evidenced by maintenance of high to near maximal HR (HR max ) during time trials (76%-94% HR max ), depending on the distance covered in the trial (Palmer et al, 1994(Palmer et al, , 1996. Furthermore, professional and amateur 2max values (70-80 ml·kg -1 ·min -1 ) (Coyle et al, 1991;Luciá et al, 1999;Fernández-García et al, 2000), and maximal power outputs (400-500 W) (Terrados et al, 1988;Wilber et al, 1997;Padilla et al, 1999). Time trials require cyclis 2max 2max ) through the majority of the race (Coyle et al, 1991;Luciá et al, 1999;Fernández-García et al, 2000); power outputs at these intensities approximate 350-400 W for high-level cyclists (Padilla et al, 1999(Padilla et al, , 2000.…”

“…Furthermore, professional and amateur 2max values (70-80 ml·kg -1 ·min -1 ) (Coyle et al, 1991;Luciá et al, 1999;Fernández-García et al, 2000), and maximal power outputs (400-500 W) (Terrados et al, 1988;Wilber et al, 1997;Padilla et al, 1999). Time trials require cyclis 2max 2max ) through the majority of the race (Coyle et al, 1991;Luciá et al, 1999;Fernández-García et al, 2000); power outputs at these intensities approximate 350-400 W for high-level cyclists (Padilla et al, 1999(Padilla et al, , 2000. Sustaining high power output during time trials exacerbates cardiovascular and thermoregulatory strain, and may eventually lead to decrements in performance (Hunter et al, 2002;Gonzalez-Alonso, 2003).…”

“…Races often feature long distances ranging from 5 km to 300 km covered within multiple stages. Heart rate (HR) monitoring during long cycling races has revealed that performance intensity varies between 70%-90% maximal oxygen uptake 2max ), with high contributions of aerobic and anaerobic metabolism (Luciá et al, 1999;Fernández-García et al, 2000;Neumayr et al, 2002). Cycling in temperate climates may elevate core temperature (T c ) 1-2 °C depending on exercise intensity (Nybo et al, 2001;Drust et al, 2005;Hausswirth et al, 2012).…”