Reliability and Validity of a New Variable-Power Performance Test in Road Cyclists

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 278-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avish P. Sharma ◽  
Adrian D. Elliott ◽  
David J. Bentley
Keyword(s):  
Exercise Test ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Incremental Exercise ◽  
Mean Power ◽  
Incremental Exercise Test ◽  
Power Cycling ◽  
Variable Power ◽  
Physiological Attributes ◽  
Mean Power Output

Context:Road cycle racing is characterized by significant variability in exercise intensity. Existing protocols attempting to model this aspect display inadequate variation in power output. Furthermore, the reliability of protocols representative of road cycle racing is not well known. There are also minimal data regarding the physiological parameters that best predict performance during variable-power cycling.Purpose:To determine the reliability of mean power output during a new test of variable-power cycling and establish the relationship between physiological attributes typically measured during an incremental exercise test and performance during the variable-power cycling test (VCT).Methods:Fifteen trained male cyclists (mean ± SD age 33 ± 6.5 y, VO2max 57.9 ± 4.8 mL · kg−1 · min−1) performed an incremental exercise test to exhaustion for determination of physiological attributes, 2 VCTs (plus familiarization), and a 30-km time trial. The VCT was modeled on data from elite men’s road racing and included significant variation in power output.Results:Mean power output during the VCT showed good reliability (r = .92, CV% = 1.98). Relative power during the self-paced sections of the VCT was most correlated with maximal aerobic power (r = .79) and power at the second ventilatory threshold (r = .69). Blood lactate concentration showed poor reliability between trials (CV% = 13.93%).Conclusions:This study has demonstrated a new reliable protocol simulating the stochastic nature of road cycling races. Further research is needed to determine which factors predict performance during variable-power cycling and the validity of the test in monitoring longitudinal changes in cycling performance.

scholarly journals Effects of Sprint Interval Training at Different Altitudes on Cycling Performance at Sea-Level

Sports ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 148
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Warnier ◽  
Nicolas Benoit ◽  
Damien Naslain ◽  
Sophie Lambrecht ◽  
Marc Francaux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Exercise Test ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Peak Power ◽  
Interval Training ◽  
Incremental Exercise ◽  
Sprint Interval Training ◽  
Incremental Exercise Test ◽  
Aerobic And Anaerobic

Background: Benefits of sprint interval training performed in hypoxia (SIH) compared to normoxia (SIN) have been assessed by studies mostly conducted around 3000 m of simulated altitude. The present study aims to determine whether SIH at an altitude as high as 4000 m can elicit greater adaptations than the same training at 2000 m, 3000 m or sea-level. Methods: Thirty well-trained endurance male athletes (18–35 years old) participated in a six-week repeated sprint interval training program (30 s all-out sprint, 4 min 30 s recovery; 4–9 repetitions, 2 sessions/week) at sea-level (SL, n = 8), 2000 m (FiO2 16.7%, n = 8), 3000 m (FiO2 14.5%, n = 7) or 4000 m (FiO2 13.0%, n = 7). Aerobic and anaerobic exercise components were evaluated by an incremental exercise test, a 600 kJ time trial and a Wingate test before and after the training program. Results: After training, peak power output (PPO) during the incremental exercise test increased (~6%) without differences between groups. The lactate threshold assessed by Dmax increased at 2000 m (+14 ± 12 W) and 4000 m (+12 ± 11 W) but did not change at SL and 3000 m. Mean power during the Wingate test increased at SL, 2000 m and 4000 m, although peak power increased only at 4000 m (+38 ± 38 W). Conclusions: The present study indicates that SIH using 30 s sprints is as efficient as SIN for improving aerobic and anaerobic qualities. Additional benefits such as lactate-related adaptations were found only in SIH and Wingate peak power only increased at 4000 m. This finding is of particular interest for disciplines requiring high power output, such as in very explosive sports.

Maximal oxygen uptake, ventilatory threshold and fat oxidation after an incremental exercise test in triathletes

2017 ◽  
Vol 176 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanapi M. Johari ◽  
Brinnell A. Caszo ◽  
Victor F. Knight ◽  
Steven A. Lumley ◽  
Aminuddin K. Abdul Hamid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Uptake ◽  
Exercise Test ◽  
Maximal Oxygen Uptake ◽  
Ventilatory Threshold ◽  
Fat Oxidation ◽  
Incremental Exercise ◽  
Incremental Exercise Test

Changes in physiological, haematological and biochemical parameters in police working dogs during a treadmill incremental exercise test

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 387-394
Author(s):  
J.C. Alves ◽  
A. Santos ◽  
P. Jorge ◽  
M.P. Lafuente
Keyword(s):  
Exercise Test ◽  
Biochemical Parameters ◽  
Complete Blood Count ◽  
Rest Period ◽  
Incremental Exercise ◽  
Total Plasma ◽  
Incremental Exercise Test ◽  
Total Plasma Protein ◽  
Working Dogs ◽  
Stage T1

This study aimed to evaluate the physiological, haematological and biochemical changes during a treadmill incremental exercise test (IET). Animals were submitted to five stages of 6 min each, at 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 mph, at an inclination of 5%. Blood samples were collected at rest (T0), immediately after exercise (T5) and after a 20 min rest period (T6), to determine complete blood count, urea, creatinine, creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, total plasma protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase (AP), cholesterol, triglycerides (Trig), Ca2+, Na+, K+ and Cl-. Blood lactate (BL), heart rate (HR), rectal temperature (RT) and glycaemia were measured at rest (T0), after each stage (T1-T5) and after the rest period (T6). Variations were recorded between T0 and T5 in red blood cells, haemoglobin, AP, Na+, K+ (P<0.01), Trig (P<0.05), Ca2+ and Cl- (P<0.02). Differences were observed in BL at T5 (P<0.02) and T6 (P<0.02), RT at T2-T6 (P<0.01), HR at T3-T5 (P<0.01) and glycaemia at T2-T4 (P<0.01) and T5 (P<0.05). This study is a novel description of the shifts of physical fit police working dogs during this IET protocol.

scholarly journals Ventilatory compensation during the incremental exercise test is inversely correlated with air trapping in COPD

F1000Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 1661
Author(s):  
Rottem Kuint ◽  
Neville Berkman ◽  
Samir Nusair
Keyword(s):  
Gas Exchange ◽  
Exercise Testing ◽  
Exercise Test ◽  
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing ◽  
Incremental Exercise ◽  
Peak Exercise ◽  
Air Trapping ◽  
Incremental Exercise Test ◽  
Cardiopulmonary Exercise ◽  
Copd Patients

Background: Air trapping and gas exchange abnormalities are major causes of exercise limitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). During incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing, actual nadir values of ventilatory equivalents for carbon dioxide (V E/VCO 2) and oxygen (V E/VO 2) may be difficult to identify in COPD patients because of limited ventilatory compensation capacity. Therefore, we aimed in this exploratory study to detect a possible correlation between the magnitude of ventilation augmentation, as manifested by increments in ventilatory equivalents from nadir to peak exercise values and air trapping, detected with static testing.    Methods: In this observational study, we studied data obtained previously from 20 COPD patients who, during routine follow-up, underwent a symptom-limited incremental exercise test and in whom a plethysmography was obtained concurrently. Air trapping at rest was assessed by measurement of the residual volume (RV) to total lung capacity (TLC) ratio (RV/TLC). Gas exchange data collected during the symptom-limited incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test allowed determination of the nadir and peak exercise values of V E/VCO 2 and V E/VO 2, thus enabling calculation of the difference between peak exrcise value and nadir values of  V E/VCO 2 and V E/VO 2, designated ΔV E/VCO 2 and ΔV E/VO 2, respectively. Results: We found a statistically significant inverse correlation between both ΔV E/VCO 2 (r = -0. 5058, 95% CI -0.7750 to -0.08149, p = 0.0234) and ΔV E/VO 2 (r = -0.5588, 95% CI -0.8029 to -0.1545, p = 0.0104) and the degree of air trapping (RV/TLC). There was no correlation between ΔV E/VCO 2 and forced expiratory volume in the first second, or body mass index.  Conclusions: The ventilatory equivalents increment to compensate for acidosis during incremental exercise testing was inversely correlated with air trapping (RV/TLC).

scholarly journals Ventilatory compensation during the incremental exercise test is inversely correlated with air trapping in COPD

F1000Research ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 1661
Author(s):  
Rottem Kuint ◽  
Neville Berkman ◽  
Samir Nusair
Keyword(s):  
Gas Exchange ◽  
Exercise Testing ◽  
Exercise Test ◽  
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing ◽  
Incremental Exercise ◽  
Peak Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Air Trapping ◽  
Incremental Exercise Test ◽  
Cardiopulmonary Exercise ◽  
Copd Patients

Background: Air trapping and gas exchange abnormalities are major causes of exercise limitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). During incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing, ventilatory equivalents for carbon dioxide (VE/VCO2) and oxygen (VE/VO2) may be difficult to identify in COPD patients because of limited ventilatory compensation capacity. Therefore, we aimed to detect a possible correlation between the magnitude of ventilation augmentation, as manifested by increments in ventilatory equivalents from nadir to peak effort values and air trapping, detected with static testing.    Methods: In this observational study, we studied data obtained previously from 20 COPD patients who, during routine follow-up, underwent a symptom-limited incremental exercise test and in whom a plethysmography was obtained concurrently. Air trapping at rest was assessed by measurement of the residual volume (RV) to total lung capacity (TLC) ratio (RV/TLC). Gas exchange data collected during the symptom-limited incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test allowed determination of the nadir and peak effort values of VE/VCO2 and VE/VO2, thus enabling calculation of the difference between peak effort value and nadir values of  VE/VCO2 and VE/VO2, designated ΔVE/VCO2 and ΔVE/VO2, respectively. Results: We found a statistically significant inverse correlation between both ΔVE/VCO2 (r = -0. 5058, 95% CI -0.7750 to -0.08149, p = 0.0234) and ΔVE/VO2 (r = -0.5588, 95% CI -0.8029 to -0.1545, p = 0.0104) and the degree of air trapping (RV/TLC). There was no correlation between                ΔVE/VCO2 and peak oxygen consumption, forced expiratory volume in the first second, or body mass index.  Conclusions: The ventilatory equivalents increment to compensate for acidosis during incremental exercise testing was inversely correlated with air trapping (RV/TLC) and may be a candidate prognostic biomarker.

Aerobic and Anaerobic Power Distribution During Cross-Country Mountain Bike Racing

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Bernhard Prinz ◽  
Dieter Simon ◽  
Harald Tschan ◽  
Alfred Nimmerichter
Keyword(s):  
Power Output ◽  
Power Distribution ◽  
Anaerobic Power ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Mountain Bike ◽  
Mean Power ◽  
Anaerobic Energy ◽  
Cross Country ◽  
Mean Power Output ◽  
Aerobic And Anaerobic

Purpose: To determine aerobic and anaerobic demands of mountain bike cross-country racing. Methods: Twelve elite cyclists (7 males;  = 73.8 [2.6] mL·min-1·kg−1, maximal aerobic power [MAP] = 370 [26] W, 5.7 [0.4] W·kg−1, and 5 females;  = 67.3 [2.9] mL·min−1·kg−1, MAP = 261 [17] W, 5.0 [0.1] W·kg−1) participated over 4 seasons at several (119) international and national races and performed laboratory tests regularly to assess their aerobic and anaerobic performance. Power output, heart rate, and cadence were recorded throughout the races. Results: The mean race time was 79 (12) minutes performed at a mean power output of 3.8 (0.4) W·kg−1; 70% (7%) MAP (3.9 [0.4] W·kg−1 and 3.6 [0.4] W·kg−1 for males and females, respectively) with a cadence of 64 (5) rev·min−1 (including nonpedaling periods). Time spent in intensity zones 1 to 4 (below MAP) were 28% (4%), 18% (8%), 12% (2%), and 13% (3%), respectively; 30% (9%) was spent in zone 5 (above MAP). The number of efforts above MAP was 334 (84), which had a mean duration of 4.3 (1.1) seconds, separated by 10.9 (3) seconds with a mean power output of 7.3 (0.6) W·kg−1 (135% [9%] MAP). Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of the anaerobic energy system and the interaction between anaerobic and aerobic energy systems. Therefore, the ability to perform numerous efforts above MAP and a high aerobic capacity are essential to be competitive in mountain bike cross-country.

scholarly journals Validity of the Velocomp PowerPod Compared With the Verve Cycling InfoCrank Power Meter

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 1382-1387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul F.J. Merkes ◽  
Paolo Menaspà ◽  
Chris R. Abbiss
Keyword(s):  
Power Output ◽  
Average Power ◽  
Dynamic Environment ◽  
Rolling Resistance ◽  
Mean Power ◽  
Power Meter ◽  
Test Study ◽  
Environment Study ◽  
Road Cyclists ◽  
Mean Power Output

Purpose: To determine the validity of the Velocomp PowerPod power meter in comparison with the Verve Cycling InfoCrank power meter. Methods: This research involved 2 separate studies. In study 1, 12 recreational male road cyclists completed 7 maximal cycling efforts of a known duration (2 times 5 s and 15, 30, 60, 240, and 600 s). In study 2, 4 elite male road cyclists completed 13 outdoor cycling sessions. In both studies, power output of cyclists was continuously measured using both the PowerPod and InfoCrank power meters. Maximal mean power output was calculated for durations of 1, 5, 15, 30, 60, 240, and 600 seconds plus the average power output in study 2. Results: Power output determined by the PowerPod was almost perfectly correlated with the InfoCrank (r > .996; P < .001) in both studies. Using a rolling resistance previously reported, power output was similar between power meters in study 1 (P = .989), but not in study 2 (P = .045). Rolling resistance estimated by the PowerPod was higher than what has been previously reported; this might have occurred because of errors in the subjective device setup. This overestimation of rolling resistance increased the power output readings. Conclusion: Accuracy of rolling resistance seems to be very important in determining power output using the PowerPod. When using a rolling resistance based on previous literature, the PowerPod showed high validity when compared with the InfoCrank in a controlled field test (study 1) but less so in a dynamic environment (study 2).

scholarly journals An Analysis of Variability in Power Output During Indoor and Outdoor Cycling Time Trials

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 1273-1279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Owen Jeffries ◽  
Mark Waldron ◽  
Stephen D. Patterson ◽  
Brook Galna
Keyword(s):  
Power Output ◽  
Time Trial ◽  
Mean Power ◽  
Portable Power ◽  
Output Variability ◽  
Competitive Cyclists ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Mean Power Output ◽  
Testing Protocols ◽  
Indoor And Outdoor

Purpose: Regulation of power output during cycling encompasses the integration of internal and external demands to maximize performance. However, relatively little is known about variation in power output in response to the external demands of outdoor cycling. The authors compared the mean power output and the magnitude of power-output variability and structure during a 20-min time trial performed indoors and outdoors. Methods: Twenty male competitive cyclists ( 60.4 [7.1] mL·kg−1·min−1) performed 2 randomized maximal 20-min time-trial tests: outdoors at a cycle-specific racing circuit and indoors on a laboratory-based electromagnetically braked training ergometer, 7 d apart. Power output was sampled at 1 Hz and collected on the same bike equipped with a portable power meter in both tests. Results: Twenty-minute time-trial performance indoor (280 [44] W) was not different from outdoor (284 [41] W) (P = .256), showing a strong correlation (r = .94; P < .001). Within-persons SD was greater outdoors (69 [21] W) than indoors (33 [10] W) (P < .001). Increased variability was observed across all frequencies in data from outdoor cycling compared with indoors (P < .001) except for the very slowest frequency bin (<0.0033 Hz, P = .930). Conclusions: The findings indicate a greater magnitude of variability in power output during cycling outdoors. This suggests that constraints imposed by the external environment lead to moderate- and high-frequency fluctuations in power output. Therefore, indoor testing protocols should be designed to reflect the external demands of cycling outdoors.

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