The Record Power Profile of Male Professional Cyclists: Fatigue Matters

Abstract

Purpose: The present study aimed to determine the influence of fatigue on the record power profile of professional male cyclists. We also assessed whether fatigue could differently affect cyclists of 2 competition categories. Methods: We analyzed the record power profile in 112 professional cyclists (n = 46 and n = 66 in the ProTeam [PT] and WorldTour [WT] category, respectively; age 29 [6] y, 8 [5] y experience in the professional category) during 2013–2021 (8 [5] seasons/cyclist). We analyzed their mean maximal power (MMP) values for efforts lasting 10 seconds to 120 minutes with no fatigue (after 0 kJ·kg−1) and with increasing levels of fatigue (after 15, 25, 35, and 45 kJ·kg−1). Results: A significant (P < .001) and progressive deterioration of all MMP values was observed from the lowest levels of fatigue assessed (ie, −1.6% to −3.0% decline after 15 kJ·kg−1, and −6.0% to −9.7% after 45 kJ·kg−1). Compared with WT, PT cyclists showed a greater decay of MMP values under fatigue conditions (P < .001), and these differences increased with accumulating levels of fatigue (decay of −1.8 to −2.9% [WT] with reference to 0 kJ·kg−1 vs −1.1% to −4.4% [PT] after 15 kJ·kg−1 and of −4.7% to −8.8% [WT] vs −7.6% to −11.6% [PT] after 45 kJ·kg−1). No consistent differences were found between WT and PT cyclists in MMP values assessed in nonfatigue conditions (after 0 kJ·kg−1), but WT cyclists attained significantly higher MMP values with accumulating levels of fatigue, particularly for long-duration efforts (≥5 min). Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of considering fatigue when assessing the record power profile of endurance athletes and support the ability to attenuate fatigue-induced decline in MMP values as a determinant of endurance performance.

How do world class top 5 Giro d'Italia finishers train? A qualitative multiple case study

“…Furthermore, no previous randomized controlled trials have investigated the effect of intensity distribution on fatigue resistance, a key determinant of competition outcomes in under 23 and professional road cyclists 4 , which could be potentially responsive to volume at low intensity 28 . Regarding this aspect, it is noteworthy to highlight that the decay in 20-min record power output after 45 kJ•kg -1 of the athlete considered in this study are in line with the top 10-25 percentile of the normative data of World Tour cyclists presented in a recent study 29 .…”

“… 28 Regarding this aspect, it is noteworthy to highlight that the decay in 20‐min record power output after 45 kJ kg −1 of the athlete considered in this study are in line with the top 10–25 percentile of the normative data of World Tour cyclists presented in a recent study. 29 …”

Comparative analysis of endurance, strength and body composition indicators in professional, under-23 and junior cyclists

“…The factors that contribute to top-level performance in sports remain largely unknown (Foster et al, 2022). For instance, in road cycling different indicators have been reported as determinants of performance, notably endurance-related indicators such as the capacity to produce high power outputs even in the presence of fatigue (Van Erp et al, 2021, 2021Mateo-March et al, 2022;Valenzuela et al, 2022) or anthropometric indicators such as a low body mass (van der Zwaard et al, 2019;Leo et al, 2021b). Achieving the top level in any sport and, particularly, in road cycling is a long-term process that takes several years and requires specific characteristics that can be improved along the career trajectory, from junior to under-23 (U23), to finally reaching the professional category.…”

Determination of energy expenditure in professional cyclists using power data: Validation against doubly labeled water

“…Since the VO 2 ‐max test was performed in a non‐fatigued state, fatigue during the races could lead to a further underestimation of the energy costs in the cycling competitions and hence overestimation of the non‐exercise PAL‐value. However, elite cyclist are relatively robust against fatigue, which reduces the magnitude of this effect as compared to, for example, amateur cyclists 39 . Similarly, the VO 2max test was performed several months prior to the competition and alterations in training status could have changed movement economy.…”

“…elite cyclist are relatively robust against fatigue, which the magnitude of this effect as compared to, for example, amateur cyclists. 39 Similarly, the VO 2max test was performed several months prior to the competition and alterations in training status could have changed movement economy. However, also here we would not expect major changes due to the high training status of the participants.…”