A Systematic Review of Submaximal Cycle Tests to Predict, Monitor, and Optimize Cycling Performance

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 707-714 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoit Capostagno ◽  
Michael I. Lambert ◽  
Robert P. Lamberts
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Heart Rate Recovery ◽  
Mechanical Efficiency ◽  
Cycling Performance ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Time To Exhaustion ◽  
Gross Mechanical Efficiency ◽  
Multiple Variables

Finding the optimal balance between high training loads and recovery is a constant challenge for cyclists and their coaches. Monitoring improvements in performance and levels of fatigue is recommended to correctly adjust training to ensure optimal adaptation. However, many performance tests require a maximal or exhaustive effort, which reduces their real-world application. The purpose of this review was to investigate the development and use of submaximal cycling tests that can be used to predict and monitor cycling performance and training status. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria, and 3 separate submaximal cycling tests were identified from within those 12. Submaximal variables including gross mechanical efficiency, oxygen uptake (VO2), heart rate, lactate, predicted time to exhaustion (pTE), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), power output, and heart-rate recovery (HRR) were the components of the 3 tests. pTE, submaximal power output, RPE, and HRR appear to have the most value for monitoring improvements in performance and indicate a state of fatigue. This literature review shows that several submaximal cycle tests have been developed over the last decade with the aim to predict, monitor, and optimize cycling performance. To be able to conduct a submaximal test on a regular basis, the test needs to be short in duration and as noninvasive as possible. In addition, a test should capture multiple variables and use multivariate analyses to interpret the submaximal outcomes correctly and alter training prescription if needed.

Can the Lamberts and Lambert Submaximal Cycle Test Indicate Fatigue and Recovery in Trained Cyclists?

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 328-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Hammes ◽  
Sabrina Skorski ◽  
Sascha Schwindling ◽  
Alexander Ferrauti ◽  
Mark Pfeiffer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Heart Rate Recovery ◽  
Recovery Period ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Maximum Heart Rate ◽  
Training Camp ◽  
Standardized Mean Difference ◽  
Fatigue Recovery

The Lamberts and Lambert Submaximal Cycle Test (LSCT) is a novel test designed to monitor performance and fatigue/recovery in cyclists. Studies have shown the ability to predict performance; however, there is a lack of studies concerning monitoring of fatigue/recovery. In this study, 23 trained male cyclists (age 29 ± 8 y, VO2max 59.4 ± 7.4 mL · min−1 · kg−1) completed a training camp. The LSCT was conducted on days 1, 8, and 11. After day 1, an intensive 6-day training period was performed. Between days 8 and 11, a recovery period was realized. The LSCT consists of 3 stages with fixed heart rates of 6 min at 60% and 80% and 3 min at 90% of maximum heart rate. During the stages, power output and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were determined. Heart-rate recovery was measured after stage 3. Power output almost certainly (standardized mean difference: 1.0) and RPE very likely (1.7) increased from day 1 to day 8 at stage 2. Power output likely (0.4) and RPE almost certainly (2.6) increased at stage 3. From day 8 to day 11, power output possibly (–0.4) and RPE likely (–1.5) decreased at stage 2 and possibly (–0.1) and almost certainly (–1.9) at stage 3. Heart-rate recovery was likely (0.7) accelerated from day 1 to day 8. Changes from day 8 to day 11 were unclear (–0.1). The LSCT can be used for monitoring fatigue and recovery, since parameters were responsive to a fatiguing training and a following recovery period. However, consideration of multiple LSCT variables is required to interpret the results correctly.

Carbohydrate Mouth Rinsing in the Fed State: Lack of Enhancement of Time-Trial Performance

2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 400-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milou Beelen ◽  
Jort Berghuis ◽  
Ben Bonaparte ◽  
Sam B. Ballak ◽  
Asker E. Jeukendrup ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Average Power ◽  
Time Trial ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Time Trial Performance ◽  
Mouth Rinsing ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Trial Performance

It has been reported previously that mouth rinsing with a carbohydrate-containing solution can improve cycling performance. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the impact of such a carbohydrate mouth rinse on exercise performance during a simulated time trial in a more practical, postprandial setting. Fourteen male endurance-trained athletes were selected to perform 2 exercise tests in the morning after consuming a standardized breakfast. They performed an ~1-hr time trial on a cycle ergometer while rinsing their mouths with either a 6.4% maltodextrin solution (CHO) or water (PLA) after every 12.5% of the set amount of work. Borg’s rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was assessed after every 25% of the set amount of work, and power output and heart rate were recorded continuously throughout the test. Performance time did not differ between treatments and averaged 68.14 ± 1.14 and 67.52 ± 1.00 min in CHO and PLA, respectively (p = .57). In accordance, average power output (265 ± 5 vs. 266 ± 5 W, p = .58), heart rate (169 ± 2 vs. 168 ± 2 beats/min, p = .43), and RPE (16.4 ± 0.3 vs. 16.7 ± 0.3 W, p = .26) did not differ between treatments. Furthermore, after dividing the trial into 8s, no differences in power output, heart rate, or perceived exertion were observed over time between treatments. Carbohydrate mouth rinsing does not improve time-trial performance when exercise is performed in a practical, postprandial setting.

An Assessment of the Validity and Reliability of Two Perceived Exertion Rating Scales among Hong Kong Children

2002 ◽  
Vol 95 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1047-1062 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mee-Lee Leung ◽  
Pak-Kwong Chung ◽  
Raymond W. Leung
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Exercise Intensity ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Rating Scales ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Effort Rating

This study evaluated the validity and reliability of the Chinese-translated (Cantonese) versions of the Borg 6–20 Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale and the Children's Effort Rating Table (CERT) during continuous incremental cycle ergometry with 10- to 11-yr.-old Hong Kong school children. A total of 69 children were randomly assigned, with the restriction of groups being approximately equal, to two groups using the two scales, CERT ( n = 35) and RPE ( n = 34). Both groups performed two trials of identical incremental continuous cycling exercise (Trials 1 and 2) 1 wk. apart for the reliability test. Objective measures of exercise intensity (heart rate, absolute power output, and relative oxygen consumption) and the two subjective measures of effort were obtained during the exercise. For both groups, significant Pearson correlations were found for perceived effort ratings correlated with heart rate ( rs ≥ .69), power output ( rs ≥ .75), and oxygen consumption ( rs ≥ .69). In addition, correlations for CERT were consistently higher than those for RPE. High test-retest intraclass correlations were found for both the effort ( R = .96) and perceived exertion ( R = 89) groups, indicating that the scales were reliable. In conclusion, the CERT and RPE scales, when translated into Cantonese, are valid and reliable measures of exercise intensity during controlled exercise by children. The Effort rating may be better than the Perceived Exertion scale as a measure of perceived exertion that can be more validly and reliably used with Hong Kong children.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: No Effect on Aerobic Performance, Heart Rate, or Rating of Perceived Exertion in a Progressive Taekwondo-Specific Test

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 958-963
Author(s):  
Paulo H.C. Mesquita ◽  
Emerson Franchini ◽  
Marco A. Romano-Silva ◽  
Guilherme M. Lage ◽  
Maicon R. Albuquerque
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Direct Current ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
National Level ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Aerobic Performance ◽  
Time To Exhaustion ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation

Purpose: To investigate the effects of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) on the aerobic performance, heart rate (HR), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) of highly trained taekwondo athletes. Methods: Twelve (8 men and 4 women) international/national-level athletes received a-tDCS or sham treatment over the M1 location in a randomized, single-blind crossover design. The stimulation was delivered at 1.5 mA for 15 min using an extracephalic bihemispheric montage. Athletes performed the progressive-specific taekwondo test 10 min after stimulation. HR was monitored continuously during the test, and RPE was registered at the end of each stage and at test cessation. Results: There were no significant differences between sham and a-tDCS in time to exhaustion (14.6 and 14.9, respectively, P = .53, effect size = 0.15) and peak kicking frequency (52 and 53.6, respectively, P = .53, effect size = 0.15) or in HR (P > .05) and RPE responses (P > .05). Conclusions: Extracephalic bihemispheric a-tDCS over M1 did not influence the aerobic performance of taekwondo athletes or their psychophysiological responses, so athletes and staff should be cautious when using it in a direct-to-consumer manner.

Can the Lamberts and Lambert Submaximal Cycle Test Reflect Overreaching in Professional Cyclists?

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lieselot Decroix ◽  
Robert P. Lamberts ◽  
Romain Meeusen
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Energy Balance ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Muscle Soreness ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Mood States ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Profile Of Mood States ◽  
Maximal Heart Rate ◽  
Training Camp

Context: The Lamberts and Lambert Submaximal Cycle Test (LSCT) consists of 3 stages during which cyclists cycle for 6 min at 60%, 6 min at 80%, and 3 min at 90% of their maximal heart rate, followed by 1-min recovery. Purpose: To determine if the LSCT is able to reflect a state of functional overreaching in professional female cyclists during an 8-d training camp and the following recovery days. Methods: Six professional female cyclists performed an LSCT on days 1, 5, and 8 of the training camp and 3 d after the training camp. During each stage of the LSCT, power output and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were determined. Training diaries and Profile of Mood States (POMS) were also completed. Results: At the middle and the end of the training camp, increased power output during the 2nd and 3rd stages of the LSCT was accompanied with increased RPE during these stages and/or the inability to reach 90% of maximal heart rate. All athletes reported increased feelings of fatigue and muscle soreness, while changes in energy balance, calculated from the POMS, were less indicative of a state of overreaching. After 3 d of recovery, all parameters of the LSCT returned to baseline, indicating a state of functional overreaching during the training camp. Conclusion: The LSCT is able to reflect a state of overreaching in elite professional female cyclists during an 8-d training camp and the following recovery days.

Effects of Preferred and Nonpreferred Warm-Up Music on Exercise Performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 127 (5) ◽  
pp. 912-924 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morgan C. Karow ◽  
Rebecca R. Rogers ◽  
Joseph A. Pederson ◽  
Tyler D. Williams ◽  
Mallory R. Marshall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Exercise Performance ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Time Trial ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Relative Power ◽  
Warm Up ◽  
Trial Time ◽  
Condition Versus

This study investigated the effects of preferred and non-preferred warm-up music listening conditions on subsequent exercise performance. A total of 12 physically active male and female participants engaged in a crossover, counterbalanced research design in which they completed exercise trials after 3 different warm-up experiences of (a) no music (NM), (b) preferred music (PREF), and (c) nonpreferred music (NON-PREF). Participants began warming up by rowing at 50% of of age-predicted heart rate maximum (HRmax) for 5 minutes while exposed to the three music conditions. Immediately following the warm-up and cessation of any music, participants completed a 2000-m rowing time trial as fast as possible. Relative power output, trial time, heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, and motivation were analyzed. Results indicated that, compared with NM, relative power output was significantly higher ( p  =   .018), trial time was significantly lower ( p  =   .044), and heart rate was significantly higher ( p  =   .032) during the PREF but not the NON-PREF condition. Rating of perceived exertion was not altered, regardless of music condition ( p > .05). Motivation to exercise was higher during the PREF condition versus the NM ( p  =   .001) and NON-PREF ( p <  .001) conditions. Listening to preferred warm-up music improved subsequent exercise performance compared with no music, while nonpreferred music did not impart ergogenic benefit.

scholarly journals Warming Up Before a 20-Minute Endurance Effort: Is It Really Worth It?

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 964-970
Author(s):  
David Barranco-Gil ◽  
Lidia B. Alejo ◽  
Pedro L. Valenzuela ◽  
Jaime Gil-Cabrera ◽  
Almudena Montalvo-Pérez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Oxygen Uptake ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Time Trial ◽  
Peak Oxygen Uptake ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Mean Power ◽  
Warm Up

Purpose: To analyze the effects of different warm-up protocols on endurance-cycling performance from an integrative perspective (by assessing perceptual, neuromuscular, physiological, and metabolic variables). Methods: Following a randomized crossover design, 15 male cyclists (35 [9] y; peak oxygen uptake [VO2peak] 66.4 [6.8] mL·kg−1·min−1) performed a 20-minute cycling time trial (TT) preceded by no warm-up, a standard warm-up (10 min at 60% of VO2peak), or a warm-up that was intended to induce potentiation postactivation (PAP warm-up; 5 min at 60% of VO2peak followed by three 10-s all-out sprints). Study outcomes were jumping ability and heart-rate variability (both assessed at baseline and before the TT), TT performance (mean power output), and perceptual (rating of perceived exertion) and physiological (oxygen uptake, muscle oxygenation, heart-rate variability, blood lactate, and thigh skin temperature) responses during and after the TT. Results: Both standard and PAP warm-up (9.7% [4.7%] and 12.9% [6.5%], respectively, P < .001), but not no warm-up (−0.9% [4.8%], P = .074), increased jumping ability and decreased heart-rate variability (−7.9% [14.2%], P = .027; −20.3% [24.7%], P = .006; and −1.7% [10.5%], P = .366). Participants started the TT (minutes 0–3) at a higher power output and oxygen uptake after PAP warm-up compared with the other 2 protocols (P < .05), but no between-conditions differences were found overall for the remainder of outcomes (P > .05). Conclusions: Compared with no warm-up, warming up enhanced jumping performance and sympathetic modulation before the TT, and the inclusion of brief sprints resulted in a higher initial power output during the TT. However, no warm-up benefits were found for overall TT performance or for perceptual or physiological responses during the TT.

scholarly journals Peer presence increases session ratings of perceived exertion

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey M Minett ◽  
Valentin Fels-Camilleri ◽  
Joshua J Bon ◽  
Franco Milko Impellizzeri ◽  
David N Borg
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Peak Power ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Credible Interval ◽  
Training Group ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Peak Power Output ◽  
Group Setting

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effect of peer presence on the session rating of perceived exertion (RPE) responses. Design: Within-participant design. Method: Fourteen males, with mean (standard deviation) age 22.4 (3.9) years, peak oxygen uptake 48.0 (6.6) mL·kg-1·min-1 and peak power output 330 (44) W, completed an incremental cycling test and three identical experimental sessions, in groups of four or five. Experimental sessions involved 24 min of cycling, whereby the work rate alternated between 40% and 70% peak power output every 3 min. During cycling, heart rate was collected every 3 min, and session-RPE was recorded 10 min after cycling, in three communication contexts: in written form unaccompanied (intrapersonal communication); verbally by the researcher only (interpersonal communication); and in the presence of the training group. Session-RPE was analysed using ordinal regression and heart rate using a linear mixed-effects model, with models fit in a Bayesian framework. Results: Session-RPE was voted higher when collected in the group's presence compared to when written (odds ratio = 5.3, 95% credible interval = 1.6 to 17.6). On average, the posterior probability that session-RPE was higher in the group setting than when written was 0.57. Session-RPE was not different between the group and verbal, or verbal and written collection contexts. Conclusions: This study suggests contextual psychosocial inputs influence session-RPE, and highlights the importance of session-RPE users controlling the measurement environment when collecting votes.

Improvement of Sprint Triathlon Performance in Trained Athletes With Positive Swim Pacing

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1024-1028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam S.X. Wu ◽  
Jeremiah J. Peiffer ◽  
Peter Peeling ◽  
Jeanick Brisswalter ◽  
Wing Y. Lau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Time Trial ◽  
The Other ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Subsequent Performance

Purpose:To investigate the effect of 3 swim-pacing profiles on subsequent performance during a sprint-distance triathlon (SDT). Methods:Nine competitive/trained male triathletes completed 5 experimental sessions including a graded running exhaustion test, a 750-m swim time trial (STT), and 3 SDTs. The swim times of the 3 SDTs were matched, but pacing was manipulated to induce positive (ie, speed gradually decreasing from 92% to 73% STT), negative (ie, speed gradually increasing from 73% to 92% STT), or even pacing (constant 82.5% STT). The remaining disciplines were completed at a self-selected maximal pace. Speed over the entire triathlon, power output during the cycle discipline, rating of perceived exertion (RPE) for each discipline, and heart rate during the cycle and run were determined. Results:Faster cycle and overall triathlon times were achieved with positive swim pacing (30.5 ± 1.8 and 65.9 ± 4.0 min, respectively), as compared with the even (31.4 ± 1.0 min, P = .018 and 67.7 ± 3.9 min, P = .034, effect size [ES] = 0.46, respectively) and negative (31.8 ± 1.6 min, P = .011 and 67.3 ± 3.7 min, P = .041, ES = 0.36, respectively) pacing. Positive swim pacing elicited a lower RPE (9 ± 2) than negative swim pacing (11 ± 2, P = .014). No differences were observed in the other measured variables. Conclusions:A positive swim pacing may improve overall SDT performance and should be considered by both elite and age-group athletes during racing.

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