PDF herunterladen
Int J Sports Med
DOI: 10.1055/a-2771-5295
Training & Testing

Sex Differences in Performance Loss Above Critical Power in Professional Cyclists

Autor*innen

  • Manuel Mateo-March

    1   Sports Research Centre, Department of Sports Sciences, Miguel Hernández University, Elche, Spain

  • Alejandro Javaloyes 

    1   Sports Research Centre, Department of Sports Sciences, Miguel Hernández University, Elche, Spain

  • Manuel Moya-Ramón

    1   Sports Research Centre, Department of Sports Sciences, Miguel Hernández University, Elche, Spain

  • Iván Peña-González

    1   Sports Research Centre, Department of Sports Sciences, Miguel Hernández University, Elche, Spain
Weitere Informationen
Auch verfügbar auf
   Lizenzen und Reprints

Abstract

Sex differences in performance loss above critical power in professional cycling are underexplored, yet crucial for tailoring training and race strategies. This study examined sex-specific differences in performance loss above critical power across accumulated work levels and effort durations in elite cyclists. Power output data from 16 female and 17 male WorldTour professionals were analyzed over one season. Performance loss was quantified after 1–5 kJ kg–1 accumulated work above critical power (∫(power output - critical power) dt for power output>critical power, normalized to body mass). Power decay was assessed for efforts of 5 and 30 seconds and 1, 5, 10, and 20 minutes. A small sex difference emerged at 1 kJ kg–1 (women: 3.73±4.12% vs. men: 2.44±4.23%, p=0.031, and d=0.31), with no differences at 2–4 kJ kg–1. At 5 kJ kg–1, men showed less loss (women: 29.58±29.35% vs. men: 16.58±10.44%, p<0.001, and d=0.60). Women exhibited greater decay in 5-minute efforts from 1 kJ kg–1 (p≤0.001) and 10–20 minute efforts from 1 to 2 kJ kg–1 (p<0.05), with gaps widening at higher work levels. Men had higher estimated maximum oxygen uptake and critical power, enabling better sustainability under high-intensity fatigue, likely due to superior aerobic capacity.

Keywords

Cycling - fatigue resistance - critical power - endurance performance - sex differences


Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 11. Juni 2025

Angenommen nach Revision: 03. Dezember 2025

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
30. Januar 2026

© 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany