Reproducibility Of A 20 Km Cycling Time-trial In Competitive Cyclists Using The Velotron Pro Cycle Ergometer

Both caffeine and beetroot juice have ergogenic effects on endurance cycling performance. We investigated whether there is an additive effect of these supplements on the performance of a cycling time trial (TT) simulating the 2012 London Olympic Games course. Twelve male and 12 female competitive cyclists each completed 4 experimental trials in a double-blind Latin square design. Trials were undertaken with a caffeinated gum (CAFF) (3 mg·kg−1 body mass (BM), 40 min prior to the TT), concentrated beetroot juice supplementation (BJ) (8.4 mmol of nitrate (NO3–), 2 h prior to the TT), caffeine plus beetroot juice (CAFF+BJ), or a control (CONT). Subjects completed the TT (females: 29.35 km; males: 43.83 km) on a laboratory cycle ergometer under conditions of best practice nutrition: following a carbohydrate-rich pre-event meal, with the ingestion of a carbohydrate–electrolyte drink and regular oral carbohydrate contact during the TT. Compared with CONT, power output was significantly enhanced after CAFF+BJ and CAFF (3.0% and 3.9%, respectively, p < 0.01). There was no effect of BJ supplementation when used alone (–0.4%, p = 0.6 compared with CONT) or when combined with caffeine (–0.9%, p = 0.4 compared with CAFF). We conclude that caffeine (3 mg·kg−1 BM) administered in the form of a caffeinated gum increased cycling TT performance lasting ∼50–60 min by ∼3%–4% in both males and females. Beetroot juice supplementation was not ergogenic under the conditions of this study.

Download Full-text

Beneficial Effects of Ice Ingestion as a Precooling Strategy on 40-km Cycling Time-Trial Performance

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.5.2.140 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 140-151 ◽

Cited By ~ 50

Author(s):

Mohammed Ihsan ◽

Grant Landers ◽

Matthew Brearley ◽

Peter Peeling

Keyword(s):

Perceived Exertion ◽

Thermal Sensation ◽

Tap Water ◽

Time Trial ◽

Cycle Ergometer ◽

Time Trial Performance ◽

Cycling Time Trial ◽

Crushed Ice ◽

Cycling Time ◽

Trial Performance

Purpose:The effect of crushed ice ingestion as a precooling method on 40-km cycling time trial (CTT) performance was investigated.Methods:Seven trained male subjects underwent a familiarization trial and two experimental CTT which were preceded by 30 min of either crushed ice ingestion (ICE) or tap water (CON) consumption amounting to 6.8 g⋅kg-1 body mass. The CTT required athletes to complete 1200 kJ of work on a wind-braked cycle ergometer. During the CTT, gastrointestinal (Tgi) and skin (Tsk) temperatures, cycling time, power output, heart rate (HR), blood lactate (BLa), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and thermal sensation (RPTS) were measured at set intervals of work.Results:Precooling lowered the Tgi after ICE significantly more than CON (36.74 ± 0.67°C vs 37.27 ± 0.24°C, P < .05). This difference remained evident until 200 kJ of work was completed on the bike (37.43 ± 0.42°C vs 37.64 ± 0.21°C). No significant differences existed between conditions at any time point for Tsk, RPE or HR (P > .05). The CTT completion time was 6.5% faster in ICE when compared with CON (ICE: 5011 ± 810 s, CON: 5359 ± 820 s, P < .05).Conclusions:Crushed ice ingestion was effective in lowering Tgi and improving subsequent 40-km cycling time trial performance. The mechanisms for this enhanced exercise performance remain to be clarified.

Download Full-text

Isocaloric Carbohydrate Versus Carbohydrate-Protein Ingestion and Cycling Time-Trial Performance

International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism ◽

10.1123/ijsnem.20.1.34 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 34-43 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Rebecca J. Toone ◽

James A. Betts

Keyword(s):

Perceived Exertion ◽

Time Trial ◽

Cycle Ergometer ◽

Double Blind ◽

Variable Intensity ◽

Time Trial Performance ◽

Cycling Time Trial ◽

Protein Ingestion ◽

Cycling Time ◽

Trial Performance

This study was designed to compare the effects of energy-matched carbohydrate (CHO) and carbohydrate-protein (CHO-PRO) supplements on cycling time-trial performance. Twelve competitive male cyclists and triathletes each completed 2 trials in a randomized and counterbalanced order that were separated by 5–10 d and applied in a double-blind manner. Participants performed a 45-min variable-intensity exercise protocol on a cycle ergometer while ingesting either a 9% CHO solution or a mixture of 6.8% CHO plus 2.2% protein in volumes providing 22 kJ/kg body mass. Participants were then asked to cycle 6 km in the shortest time possible. Blood glucose and lactate concentrations were measured every 15 min during exercise, along with measures of substrate oxidation via indirect calorimetry, heart rate, and ratings of perceived exertion. Mean time to complete the 6-km time trial was 433 ± 21 s in CHO trials and 438 ± 22 s in CHO-PRO trials, which represents a 0.94% (CI: 0.01, 1.86) decrement in performance with the inclusion of protein (p = .048). However, no other variable measured in this study was significantly different between trials. Reducing the quantity of CHO included in a supplement and replacing it with protein may not represent an effective nutritional strategy when the supplement is ingested during exercise. This may reflect the central ergogenic influence of exogenous CHO during such activity.

Download Full-text

Pedal force asymmetries and performance during a 20-km cycling time trial

Kinesiology ◽

10.26582/k.48.2.12 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

pp. 193-199 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Rodrigo R. Bini ◽

Tiago C. Jacques ◽

Carlos H. Sperb ◽

Fábio J. Lanferdini ◽

Marco A. Vaz

Keyword(s):

Effect Size ◽

Force Production ◽

Time Trial ◽

Cycling Time Trial ◽

Pedal Force ◽

Performance Time ◽

Competitive Cyclists ◽

And Performance ◽

The Relationship ◽

Cycling Time

It is unclear if applying larger or more symmetrical pedal forces leads to better performance in cycling. The aims of this study were to assess the relationship between pedal force production and performance in a cycling time trial and to evaluate the relationship between asymmetries in pedal force production and performance. Fifteen competitive cyclists/triathletes performed a 20 km cycling time trial on a cycle trainer while bilateral forces applied to the pedals were recorded along with total time. Total forces applied to the pedals were computed and converted into dominant and non-dominant forces using a leg preference inventory. Pedal force asymmetries ranged from 43% (in favour of the dominant limb) to 34% (in favour of the non-dominant limb). The relationship between total pedal force (averaged from both pedals) and performance time was small (r=-.32, effect size=.66) as well as the association between the asymmetry indices and performance time (r=.01, effect size=.06). In conclusion, applying large forces on the pedals and balancing pedal force application between the dominant and non-dominant limbs did not lead to better performance in this cycling time trial.

Download Full-text