Antidoping 2.0: Is Adding Power-Output Data to the Antidoping Pool the Next Step? Experts' Viewpoint.

Background: Efforts are needed to improve antidoping procedures. The widespread use of power meters among cyclists could help in this regard. However, controversy exists on whether performance monitoring through power-output data could be of help for antidoping purposes.

Assessing sleep quality in elite and junior cyclists.

In the pursuit of optimal recovery, the significance of sleep cannot be overstated for elite cyclists, including high-level cyclists within the junior category. This study aims to assess the sleep quality of elite athletes of different categories and disciplines, including junior. The sleep quality of 112 high-level cyclists (males  = 80; females  = 32) participating in endurance and sprint disciplines was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).

The Day-by-Day Periodization Strategies of a Giro d'Italia Podium Finisher.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe the day-by-day training and racing characteristics in preparation for the Giro d'Italia of 1 world-class road cyclist who achieved a place on the podium in the final general classification of the Giro d'Italia.

Methods: Day-by-day power meter training and racing data of 1 study subject (road cyclist; age 25 y; relative maximum oxygen consumption 81 mL·min-1·kg-1; relative 20-min record power output 6.6 W·kg-1) covering the 152 days leading up to the podium in the Giro d'Italia final general classification were retrospectively analyzed.

The Weekly Periodization of Top 5 Tour de France General Classification Finishers: A Multiple Case Study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe individual training characteristics, racing strategies, and periodization in preparation for the Tour de France in 2 world-class road cyclists finishing in the top 5 of the general classification.

Methods: Week-by-week power meter training and racing data of 2 (A and B) road cyclists (age: 29 and 23 y; maximum oxygen consumption: 83 and 81 mL·min-1·kg-1; and relative 20-min record power output: 6.9 and 6.

Between-Seasons Variability of Cyclists' Peak Performance: A Longitudinal Analysis of "Real-World" Power Output Data in Male Professional Cyclists.

Purpose: The record power profile (RPP) has gained popularity as a method of monitoring endurance cycling performance. However, the expected variation of cyclists' performance between seasons remains unknown. We aimed to assess the between-seasons variability of peak performance (assessed through the RPP) in male professional cyclists.

Is the Record Power Profile Repeatable? A Practical Analysis and Interpretation in Professional Cyclists.

Muriel, X, Hernández-Belmonte, A, Mateo-March, M, Valenzuela, PL, Zabala, M, Barranco-Gil, D, Lucia, A, and Pallares, JG. Is the record power profile repeatable? A practical analysis and interpretation in professional cyclists. J Strength Cond Res 37(5): 1131-1134, 2023-This study assessed the repeatability of the Record Power Profile (RPP, i.

Predicting BMX Performance with Laboratory Measurements in Elite Riders.

In Bicycle Motocross (BMX) performance is determined by the riders' sprint ability and power output. Therefore, descriptive and predictive performance assessments through laboratory and field tests are of interest. Twelve members of the Spanish BMX National Team performed 4 laboratory tests, including 1RM in squat, a Wingate test, a 5x6-s repeated sprint test (RST) and a force-velocity profile test.

Influence of Torque and Cadence on Power Output Production in Cyclists.

Purpose: No information is available on the torque/cadence relationship in road cyclists. We aimed to establish whether this relationship differs between cyclists of different performance levels or team roles.

Methods: Mean maximal power (MMP) output data from 177 riders were obtained from 2012 to 2021 from training and competitions.

Nutritional Habits of Professional Cyclists during Pre-Season.

The first aim of the present study was to assess the dietary intake of professional cyclists during pre-season. The second aim was to assess the dietary habits of this population during a complete season. Fifteen elite male (age: 23.

Comparative analysis of endurance, strength and body composition indicators in professional, under-23 and junior cyclists.

To compare endurance, strength and body composition indicators between cyclists of three different competition age categories. Fifty-one male road cyclists classified as either junior ( = 13, age 16.4 ± 0.

Field-Derived Maximal Power Output in Cycling: An Accurate Indicator of Maximal Performance Capacity?

Purpose: To determine the validity of field-derived mean maximum power (MMP) values for monitoring maximal cycling endurance performance.

Methods: Twenty-seven male professional cyclists performed 3 timed trials (TTs) of 1-, 5-, and 20-minute duration that were used as the gold standard reference. Field-based power output data (3336 files; 124 [25] per cyclist) were registered during the preparatory (60 d pre-TT, including training data only) and specific period of the season (60 d post-TT, including both training and competitions).

Validity and Reliability of the Leomo Motion-Tracking Device Based on Inertial Measurement Unit with an Optoelectronic Camera System for Cycling Pedaling Evaluation.

Background: The use of inertial measurement sensors (IMUs), in the search for a more ecological measure, is spreading among sports professionals with the aim of improving the sports performance of cyclists. The kinematic evaluation using the Leomo system (TYPE-R, Leomo, Boulder, CO, USA) has become popular.

Purpose: The present study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Leomo system by measuring the angular kinematics of the lower extremities in the sagittal plane during pedaling at different intensities compared to a gold-standard motion capture camera system (OptiTrack, Natural Point, Inc.

How do world class top 5 Giro d'Italia finishers train? A qualitative multiple case study.

The aim of this study was to describe individual training strategies in preparation to Giro d'Italia of three world class road cyclists who achieved a top 5 in the general classification. Day-to-day power meter training and racing data of three road cyclists (age: 26, 27, 25 years; relative maximum oxygen consumption: 81, 82, 80 ml·min ·kg ; relative 20-min record power output: 6.6, 6.

Differences in Training Characteristics Between Junior, Under 23 and Professional Cyclists.

The aim was to compare the training characteristics of junior, under 23 and professional road cyclists. Training data collected during the 2019 competitive season of thirty male cyclists, divided into three age-related categories (JUN; U23; PRO), were retrospectively analyzed for training characteristics, external and internal training load. Higher duration per training session were observed in PRO (2.

Power Road-Derived Physical Performance Parameters in Junior, Under-23, and Professional Road Cycling Climbers.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship of field-derived power and physical performance parameters with competition success in road cycling climbing specialists of age-related categories and to explore cross-sectional differences between high-ranked (HIGHR) climbing specialists of each category.

Methods: Fifty-three male climbers participated in this study (junior [JUN], n = 15; under 23 [U23], n = 21; professional [PRO], n = 17). Training and racing data collected during the 2016-19 competitive seasons were retrospectively analyzed for record power outputs (RPOs) and RPOs after prior accumulated work.

Ambient Temperature and Field-Based Cycling Performance: Insights From Male and Female Professional Cyclists.

Purpose: Ambient temperature affects endurance exercise performance. However, most research has been conducted in a laboratory-based setting, and whether there are sex-specific trends remains unclear. The present study aimed to analyze the influence of ambient temperature on cycling performance in male and female professional cyclists using field-based data collected during both training and racing.

The Record Power Profile of Male Professional Cyclists: Fatigue Matters.

Purpose: The present study aimed to determine the influence of fatigue on the record power profile of professional male cyclists. We also assessed whether fatigue could differently affect cyclists of 2 competition categories.

Methods: We analyzed the record power profile in 112 professional cyclists (n = 46 and n = 66 in the ProTeam [PT] and WorldTour [WT] category, respectively; age 29 [6] y, 8 [5] y experience in the professional category) during 2013-2021 (8 [5] seasons/cyclist).

Validity of detrended fluctuation analysis of heart rate variability to determine intensity thresholds in elite cyclists.

The evaluation of performance in endurance athletes and the subsequent individualisation of training is based on the determination of individual physiological thresholds during incremental tests. Gas exchange or blood lactate analysis are usually implemented for this purpose, but these methodologies are expensive and invasive. The short-term scaling exponent alpha 1 of detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA-α1) of the Heart Rate Variability (HRV) has been proposed as a non-invasive methodology to detect intensity thresholds.

The Record Power Profile of Male Professional Cyclists: Normative Values Obtained From a Large Database.

Purpose: To present normative data for the record power profile of male professional cyclists attending to team categories and riding typologies.

Methods: Power output data registered from 4 professional teams during 8 years (N = 144 cyclists, 129,262 files, and 1062 total seasons [7 (5) per cyclist] corresponding to both training and competition sessions) were analyzed. Cyclists were categorized as ProTeam (n = 46) or WorldTour (n = 98) and as all-rounders (n = 65), time trialists (n = 11), climbers (n = 50), sprinters (n = 11), or general classification contenders (n = 7).

The Record Power Profile in Professional Female Cyclists: Normative Values Obtained From a Large Database.

Purpose: To describe the record power profile of professional female cyclists and to assess potential differences based on the type of rider.

Methods: Power output data (32,028 files containing both training and competition sessions recorded) in 44 female professional cyclists during 1-6 years were analyzed. Cyclists were categorized as all-rounders, time trialists, climbers, or sprinters.