Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2010; 31(3): 160-166
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1243222
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Evaluation of a Field Test to Assess Performance in Elite Cyclists

A. Nimmerichter1 , 4 , C. Williams2 , N. Bachl3 , 4 , R. Eston1
  • 1University of Exeter, School of Sport and Health Sciences, Exeter, United Kingdom
  • 2University of Exeter, Children's Health & Exercise Research Centre, Exeter, United Kingdom
  • 3Faculty of Sports Science and University Sport, Institute of Sports Sciences, Vienna, Austria
  • 4Austrian Institute of Sports Medicine, Vienna, Austria
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision November 06, 2009

Publication Date:
17 December 2009 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the reproducibility of power output during a 4 min (TT4) and a 20 min (TT20) time-trial and the relationship with performance markers obtained during a laboratory graded exercise test (GXT). Ventilatory and lactate thresholds during a GXT were measured in competitive male cyclists (n=15;V˙O2max 67±5 ml · min−1 · kg−1; Pmax 440±38W). Two 4 min and 20 min time-trials were performed on flat roads. Power output was measured using a mobile power-meter (SRM). Strong intraclass-correlations for TT4 (r=0.98; 95% CL: 0.92–0.99) and TT20 (r=0.98; 95% CL: 0.95–0.99) were observed. TT4 showed a bias±random error of – 0.8±23W or – 0.2±5.5%. During TT20 the bias±random error was – 1.8±14W or 0.6±4.4%. Both time-trials were strongly correlated with performance measures from the GXT (p<0.001). Significant differences were observed between power output during TT4 and GXT measures (p<0.001). No significant differences were found between TT20 and power output at the second lactate-turn-point (LTP2) (p=0.98) and respiratory compensation point (RCP) (p=0.97). In conclusion, TT4 and TT20 mean power outputs are reliable predictors of aerobic endurance. TT20 was in agreement with power output at RCP and LTP2.

Key words

cycling - power output - athletic performance - exercise physiology - exercise test

References

  • 1 Achten J, Jeukendrup AE. Heart rate monitoring: applications and limitations.  Sports Med. 2003;  33 517-538
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Amann M, Subudhi AW, Foster C. Predictive validity of ventilatory and lactate thresholds for cycling time trial performance.  Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2006;  16 27-34
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Amann M, Subudhi AW, Walker J, Eisenman P, Shultz B, Foster C. An evaluation of the predictive validity and reliability of ventilatory threshold.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2004;  36 1716-1722
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Anderson GS, Rhodes EC. Relationship between blood lactate and excess CO2 in elite cyclists.  J Sports Sci. 1991;  9 173-181
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Anton MM, Izquierdo M, Ibanez J, Asiain X, Mendiguchia J, Gorostiaga EM. Flat and uphill climb time trial performance prediction in elite amateur cyclists.  Int J Sports Med. 2007;  28 306-313
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Atkinson G, Nevill AM. Statistical methods for assessing measurement error (reliability) in variables relevant to sports medicine.  Sports Med. 1998;  26 217-238
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Balmer J, Davison RC, Bird SR. Peak power predicts performance power during an outdoor 16.1 km cycling time trial.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;  32 1485-1490
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Balmer J, Davison RC, Coleman DA, Bird SR. The validity of power output recorded during exercise performance tests using a Kingcycle air-braked cycle ergometer when compared with an SRM powermeter.  Int J Sports Med. 2000;  21 195-199
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Beaver WL, Wasserman K, Whipp BJ. A new method for detecting anaerobic threshold by gas exchange.  J Appl Physiol. 1986;  60 2020-2027
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Bentley DJ, McNaughton LR, Thompson D, Vleck VE, Batterham AM. Peak power output, the lactate threshold, and time trial performance in cyclists.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001;  33 2077-2081
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Bertucci W, Grappe F, Groslambert A. Laboratory versus outdoor cycling conditions: differences in pedaling biomechanics.  J Appl Biomech. 2007;  23 87-92
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Billat LV. Interval training for performance: a scientific and empirical practice. Special recommendations for middle- and long-distance running. Part I: aerobic interval training.  Sports Med. 2001;  31 13-31
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Billat V, Binsse V, Petit B, Koralsztein JP. High level runners are able to maintain a VO2 steady-state below VO2max in an all-out run over their critical velocity.  Arch Physiol Biochem. 1998;  106 38-45
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Billat V, Faina M, Sardella F, Marini C, Fanton F, Lupo S, Faccini P, de Angelis M, Koralsztein JP, Dalmonte A. A comparison of time to exhaustion at VO2 max in elite cyclists, kayak paddlers, swimmers and runners.  Ergonomics. 1996;  39 267-277
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Bland JM, Altman DG. Statistical methods for assessing agreement between two methods of clinical measurement.  Lancet. 1986;  1 307-310
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Davis HA, Bassett J, Hughes P, Gass GC. Anaerobic threshold and lactate turn point.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1983;  50 383-392
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Davis JA, Whipp BJ, Lamarra N, Huntsman DJ, Frank MH, Wasserman K. Effect of ramp slope on determination of aerobic parameters from the ramp exercise test.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1982;  14 339-343
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Duncan GE, Howley ET, Johnson BN. Applicability of VO2max criteria: discontinuous versus continuous protocols.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1997;  29 273-278
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Ebert TR, Martin DT, McDonald W, Victor J, Plummer J, Withers RT. Power output during women's World Cup road cycle racing.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2005;  95 529-536
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Gardner AS, Stephens S, Martin DT, Lawton E, Lee H, Jenkins D. Accuracy of SRM and power tap power monitoring systems for bicycling.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2004;  36 1252-1258
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Gellish RL, Goslin BR, Olson RE, McDonald A, Russi GD, Moudgil VK. Longitudinal modeling of the relationship between age and maximal heart rate.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007;  39 822-829
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Gonzalez-Haro C, Galilea PA, Drobnic F, Escanero JF. Validation of a field test to determine the maximal aerobic power in triathletes and endurance cyclists.  Br J Sports Med. 2007;  41 174-179
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Grant S, Craig I, Wilson J, Aitchison T. The relationship between 3 km running performance and selected physiological variables.  J Sports Sci. 1997;  15 403-410
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Harriss DJ, Atkinson G. Ethical standards in sport and exercise science research.  Int J Sports Med. 2009;  30 701-702
    Google Scholar
  • 25 Hopkins WG, Schabort E, Hawley JA. Reliability of power in physical performance tests.  Sports Med. 2001;  31 211-234
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Howley ET, Bassett Jr. DR, Welch HG. Criteria for maximal oxygen uptake: review and commentary.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1995;  27 1292-1301
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Impellizzeri FM, Rampinini E, Sassi A, Mognoni P, Marcora S. Physiological correlates to off-road cycling performance.  J Sports Sci. 2005;  23 41-47
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Ingham SA, Whyte GP, Jones K, Nevill AM. Determinants of 2 000 m rowing ergometer performance in elite rowers.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2002;  88 243-246
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Jobson SA, Nevill AM, George SR, Jeukendrup AE, Passfield L. Influence of body position when considering the ecological validity of laboratory time-trial cycling performance.  J Sports Sci. 2008;  26 1269-1278
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Jobson SA, Nevill AM, Palmer GS, Jeukendrup AE, Doherty M, Atkinson G. The ecological validity of laboratory cycling: Does body size explain the difference between laboratory- and field-based cycling performance?.  J Sports Sci. 2007;  25 3-9
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Jobson SA, Woodside J, Passfield L, Nevill AM. Allometric scaling of uphill cycling performance.  Int J Sports Med. 2008;  29 753-757
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Kuipers H, Verstappen FT, Keizer HA, Geurten P, van Kranenburg G. Variability of aerobic performance in the laboratory and its physiologic correlates.  Int J Sports Med. 1985;  6 197-201
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Laursen PB, Shing CM, Jenkins DG. Reproducibility of a laboratory-based 40-km cycle time-trial on a stationary wind-trainer in highly trained cyclists.  Int J Sports Med. 2003;  24 481-485
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Lucia A, Hoyos J, Chicharro JL. Physiological response to professional road cycling: climbers vs. time trialists.  Int J Sports Med. 2000;  21 505-512
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Lucia A, Hoyos J, Perez M, Santalla A, Earnest CP, Chicharro JL. Which laboratory variable is related with time trial performance time in the Tour de France?.  Br J Sports Med. 2004;  38 636-640
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 Mognoni P, di Prampero PE. Gear, inertial work and road slopes as determinants of biomechanics in cycling.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2003;  90 372-376
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 37 Padilla S, Mujika I, Cuesta G, Goiriena JJ. Level ground and uphill cycling ability in professional road cycling.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1999;  31 878-885
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 38 Padilla S, Mujika I, Orbananos J, Angulo F. Exercise intensity during competition time trials in professional road cycling.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;  32 850-856
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 39 Reiser M, Meyer T, Kindermann W, Daugs R. Transferability of workload measurements between three different types of ergometer.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2000;  82 245-249
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 40 Smith EW, Skelton MS, Kremer DE, Pascoe DD, Gladden LB. Lactate distribution in the blood during progressive exercise.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1997;  29 654-660
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 41 Smith MF, Davison RC, Balmer J, Bird SR. Reliability of mean power recorded during indoor and outdoor self-paced 40 km cycling time-trials.  Int J Sports Med. 2001;  22 270-274
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 42 Spurway N, Jones AM. Lactate Testing. In: Winter EM, Jones AM, Davison R, Bromley PD, Mercer TH, eds. Sport and Exercise Physiology Testing Guidelines, The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences. Guide: Routledge 2006: 112-118
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 43 Stapelfeldt B, Schwirtz A, Schumacher YO, Hillebrecht M. Workload demands in mountain bike racing.  Int J Sports Med. 2004;  25 294-300
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 44 Taylor HL, Buskirk E, Henschel A. Maximal oxygen intake as an objective measure of cardio-respiratory performance.  J Appl Physiol. 1955;  8 73-80
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 45 Vincent WJ. Statistics in Kinesiology, 3rd Ed. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics 2005
    PubMed
  • 46 Vogt S, Heinrich L, Schumacher YO, Blum A, Roecker K, Dickhuth HH, Schmid A. Power output during stage racing in professional road cycling.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2006;  38 147-151
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 47 Vogt S, Schumacher YO, Roecker K, Dickhuth HH, Schoberer U, Schmid A, Heinrich L. Power output during the Tour de France.  Int J Sports Med. 2007;  28 756-761
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 48 Wasserman K, Hansen JE, Sue DY, Casaburi R, Whipp BJ. Physiology of exercise. In: Principles of exercise testing and interpretation. 3rd Ed., Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 1999: 30-32
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 49 Weston SB, Gabbett TJ. Reproducibility of ventilation of thresholds in trained cyclists during ramp cycle exercise.  J Sci Med Sport. 2001;  4 357-366
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 50 Wooles AL, Robinson AJ, Keen PS. A static method for obtaining a calibration factor for SRM bicycle power cranks.  Sports Engineering. 2005;  8 137-144
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar

Correspondence

Alfred Nimmerichter

University of Exeter

School of Sport and Health Sciences

St. Luke's Campus

EX1 2LU Exeter

United Kingdom

Phone: +436644124015

Fax: +436644173405

Email: an242@exeter.ac.uk

      >