To Assess and Correlate Cardiorespiratory Adaptations in Endurance-Trained Cyclist and Recreational Cyclist

Background: This cross-sectional study aimed to compare and correlate HRV indices, body composition, and aerobic power (VO2max) in recreational cyclists and trained endurance (road) cyclists. 47 male cyclists participated in the study (age: 20.32 ± 0.365; height: 171.50 ± 1.117; BMI: 23.00 ± 0.47) divided into 3 groups (Group 1: Recreational cyclist; group 2: Delhi Cyclist, playing at State/National level; and group 3: IGI cyclist, playing at National/International level). Methods: The participants underwent body composition analysis (BMI, Subcutaneous whole body, body density, body fat %, lean body mass) and anthropometry profiling. HRV was recorded (RMSSD, pNN50%, SDNN, LH/HF ratio) at resting state (~5 minutes) using the Heartware Shimmer ECG device. Later 3 minutes McArdle step test was done to measure VO2 max. Result: The VO2max (F2, 44=22.821, P<0.001) and Body fat % (7-Fold) (F2, 44=6.772, P=0.003) differed significantly between the 3 groups of cyclists. A highly significant negative correlation was seen between cycling experience in years with Resting HR and LF/HF ratio (p<0.01) with their r- values at -.382 and -.448 respectively, and statistically significant negative correlation was indicated with Body fat% (7-fold), r=-.322 (p<0.05). Conclusion: Significant differences were seen in the aerobic capacity (VO2max) between all the 3 groups of cyclists. Improved VO2max in trained road cyclists can be particularly due to the nature of cycling (endurance) training, overall training volume, and reduction in the body fat % and fat mass, which further enhances the adaptations to autonomic control. KEY WORDS: adaptation, autonomic nervous system, body composition, cardiorespiratory, cyclist, endurance, HRV, recreational, road cycling, VO2max.

Morphological Asymmetries Profile and the Difference between Low- and High-Performing Road Cyclists Using 3D Scanning

The aims of this study are: (1) to identify morphological asymmetries in road cycling by using a novel 3D scanning method and electrical bioimpedance, (2) to investigate possible asymmetries in road cyclists of low (LPG) and high (HPG) performance group, (3) to compare the number of morphological asymmetries between HPG and LPG of cyclists, and (4) to explore correlations between asymmetry scores and competition performance. Body composition and 3D anthropometric measurements were conducted on 48 top-level male road cyclists (178.98 ± 5.39 cm; 68.37 ± 5.31 kg) divided into high (n = 22) and low (n = 26) performance groups. Competition performance (CP) is represented through racing points gathered at the end of the competition season. The latter was used to divide road cyclists into low- and high-performing groups. One-way ANOVA was used to determine differences between groups, while paired-samples T-test and Absolute Asymmetry index (AA) were calculated (p ≤ 0.05) for paired variables inside the groups, and the Spearman correlation coefficient was used to explore correlations between AA and CP. Results showed statistically significant differences between the left and right side of different body segments (16 paired variables) among low-performing road cyclists in five paired variables of the upper body: elbow girth (4.35, p = 0.000), forearm girth (6.31, p = 0.000), arm surface area (2.54, p = 0.018), and arm volume (2.71, p = 0.012); and six paired variables of the lower body: leg lean mass (5.85, p = 0.000), leg length (3.04, p = 0.005), knee girth (4.93, p = 0.000), calf girth (5.25, p = 0.000), leg surface area (4.03, p = 0.000), and leg volume (5.3, p = 0.000). Altogether, the high-performing group of road cyclists statistically differed only in 2 out of 16 paired variables of the upper body: elbow girth (4.93, p = 0.000) and in forearm girth (5.12, p = 0.000). Low- and high-performing groups were statistically significantly different in the asymmetry of leg lean mass F(1,46) = 6.25, p = 0.016 and asymmetry of the calf girth F(1,46) = 7.44, p = 0.009. AA of calf girth on the total sample (n = 48) showed a significant correlation with CP (r = −0.461; p = 0.001). In conclusion, the study’s main finding was that high-performance road cyclists are more symmetrical than the low-performance group, for which it is significant to have a higher amount of morphological asymmetries.

The grey zone between tactics and manipulation: The normalization of match-fixing in road cycling

Match-fixing has already been studied in various sport disciplines. However, despite some well-known incidents in road cycling, match-fixing has barely been investigated in this unique sport discipline. Drawing on Ashforth and Anand’s theoretical model of normalization of corruption in organizations and on the perceptions of 15 active Belgian road cyclists, this study examines road cyclists’ attitudes towards collaboration and match-fixing in their sport. As the culture of agreements can be seen as part and parcel of road cycling itself, this study also examines whether agreements between cyclists are embedded, perpetuated, and thus normalized in road cycling. Using semi-structured interviews, this qualitative study indicates that road cyclists have a different understanding of match-fixing. By demonstrating that (a) cooperation between competitors happens routinely, (b) cyclists use self-serving explanations to justify these collaborations, and (c) newcomers are induced to engage in and accept collaborations with their competitors, we also indicate how normalized behaviors contribute to a grey zone that can be labelled as match-fixing. To enhance the future credibility of road cycling towards both fans and sponsors, additional clarifying and awareness-raising policy measures should be implemented.