Durability and Underlying Physiological Factors: How Do They Change Throughout a Cycling Season in Semiprofessional Cyclists?

• DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2023-0543
• Publication Date: 2024-06-13T18:34:54Z
• Authors: Jens G. Voet; Robert P. Lamberts; Aitor Viribay; Jos J. de Koning; Teun van Erp
• Keywords: Cycling

Purpose : To investigate how cycling time-trial (TT) performance changes over a season, both in “fresh” state and “fatigued” (durability). Additionally, the aim was to explore whether these are related underlying physiological factors such as gross efficiency, energy expenditure (EE), substrate oxidation (fat [FatOx] carbohydrate [CarbOx]). Methods Sixteen male semiprofessional cyclists visited laboratory on 3 occasions during season (PRE, START, IN) underwent test fresh fatigued states (after 38.1 [4.9] kJ/kg), containing submaximal warm-up for measurement of EE, FatOx, CarbOx maximal TT 1 (TT1min) 10 minutes (TT10min). Results were compared across (fresh vs fatigued) periods IN). The average power output (PO) TT1min decreased ( P < .05) from all observed periods, whereas there no change PO TT10min. Over course improved more with state. Furthermore, while EE did not significantly change, an increase FatOx decrease toward These diminished (IN), indicating greater contribution Conclusions is sensitive fatigue Also, durability improves when POs, which also oxidation.