Discriminant analysis of cardiovascular and respiratory variables for classification of road cyclists by specialty.

Background: Different variables determine the performance of cyclists, which brings up the question how these parameters may help in their classification by specialty. The aim of the study was to determine differences in cardiorespiratory parameters of male cyclists according to their specialty: flat riders (N.=21), hill riders (N.=35), or sprinters (N.=20) and obtain the multivariate model for further cyclists classification by specialties, based on selected variables.

Methods: Seventeen variables were measured at submaximal and maximum load on the cycle ergometer Cosmed E 400HK (Cosmed, Rome, Italy) (initial 100 W with 25-W increase, 90-100 rpm). Multivariate discriminant analysis was used to determine which variables group cyclists within their specialty, and to predict which variables can direct cyclists to a particular specialty.

Results: Among nine variables that statistically contribute to the discriminant power of the model, achieved power on the anaerobic threshold and the produced CO2 had the biggest impact. The obtained discriminatory model correctly classified 91.43% of flat riders, 85.71% of hill riders, while sprinters were classified completely correct (100%), i.e. 92.10% of examinees were correctly classified, which point out the strength of the discriminatory model.

Conclusions: Respiratory indicators mostly contribute to the discriminant power of the model, which may significantly contribute to training practice and laboratory tests in future.