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Int J Sports Med 1985; 06(4): 190-196
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1025838
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© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Prediction of Maximal Effort Bicycle Ergometer Endurance Performance

K. Barlow1 , A. Weltman2 , R. Schurrer3 , J. Henritze1
  • 1Human Performance Laboratory, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado
  • 2Center for Sports Medicine and Health Fitness, Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria, IL
  • 3Department of Physical Education, University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin
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Publication History

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Fifteen competitive cyclists and 15 subjects not involved in competitive cycling were studied to determine the relationship between V̇O2max, lactate threshold (LT), fixed blood lactate concentrations, body composition parameters, and maximal effort bicycle ergometer performance. The subjects were assessed for V̇O2max, LT, V̇OLT, and V̇O2 associated with blood lactate concentrations of 3, 4, 5, and 6 mM/l (V̇O2 3 mM-V̇O2 6 mM/l), using an incremental protocol on the bicycle ergometer. Body composition was determined by underwater weighing. Subjects also completed two 10-min drop-off performance tests (starting at 70 rpm) at the same absolute power output (4.5 kg resistance, 1890kgm/min) (ABS) and at the same relative power output (the highest power output completed for 3 min on the V̇O2max test) (RED. Metabolic measures and revolution scores were collected on a minute-by-minute basis during the performance tests. The results indicated that the competitive cyclists had higher V̇O2max (4.25 ± 0.39 vs 3.50 ± 0.54 l/min); V̇O2 LT (2.91 ±0.55 vs 1.66 ±0.49 l/min); V̇O2 3mM, V̇O2 4mM, V̇O2 5mM, V̇O2 6mM, V̇O2LT/V̇O2max (68.5 ±11.2 vs 47.2 ±10.9%); max resistance (5.70 ±0.56 vs 4.63 ±0.67 kg); and resistance at LT (3.57 ± 0.70 vs 1.93 ± 0.68 kg) as compared to the noncompetitive subjects (P < 0.05). Correlational analysis revealed poor prediction between metabolic measures and the homogeneous cumulative rpm scores during the REL test. V̇O2max, V̇O2LT, V̇O2 3mM, V̇O2 4mM, V̇O2 5mM, and V̇O2 6mM were good predictors of cumulative rpm during ABS for all subjects combined and for the noncompetitive subjects (r = 0.60 to 0.90). In the more homogeneous competitive group, correlations dropped to r<0.66 during ABS. Similar correlations were found for REL when rpm scores were converted to power output. Body composition parameters correlated poorly (r < 0.71) with results of both ABS and REL for both subject groups. It was concluded that V̇O2max, V̇O2LT, and V̇O2 3mM through V̇O2 6mM are good predictors of work output using a drop-off performance model. It was further concluded that in competitive cyclists factors other than V̇O2 values may be important for prediction of performance.

Key words

V̇O2max - anaerobic threshold - lactate threshold - OBLA

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