Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2007; 28(9): 743-748
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-964969
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Laboratory 20-km Cycle Time Trial Reproducibility

G. S. Zavorsky1 , J. M. Murias1 , J. Gow1 , D. J. Kim1 , C. Poulin-Harnois1 , S. Kubow2 , L. C. Lands3
  • 1Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
  • 2School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
  • 3Division of Respiratory Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision July 19, 2006

Publication Date:
23 April 2007 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

This study evaluated the reproducibility of laboratory based 20-km time trials in well trained versus recreational cyclists. Eighteen cyclists (age = 34 ± 8 yrs; body mass index = 23.1 ± 2.2 kg/m2; V·O2max = 4.19 ± 0.65 L/min) completed three 20-km time trials over a month on a Velotron cycle ergometer. Average power output (PO) (W), speed, and heart rate (HR) were significantly lower in the first time trial compared to the second and third time trial. The coefficients of variation (CV) between the second and third trial of the top eight performers for average PO, time to completion, and speed were 1.2 %, 0.6 %, 0.5 %, respectively, compared to 4.8 %, 2.0 %, and 2.3 % for the bottom ten. In addition, the average HR, V·O2, and percentage of V·O2max were similar between trials. This study demonstrated that (1) a familiarization session improves the reliability of the measurements (i.e., average PO, time to completion and speed), and (2) the CV was much smaller for the best performers.

Key words

repeatability - cyclists - power output

References

  • 1 ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription. 7th edn. Baltimore; Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins 2000: 79
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 2 Atkinson G, Nevill A M. Statistical methods for assessing measurement error (reliability) in variables relevant to sports medicine.  Sports Med. 1998;  26 217-238
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Balmer J, Davison R C, Bird S R. Peak power predicts performance power during an outdoor 16.1-km cycling time trial.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;  32 1485-1490
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 Bentley D J, Wilson G J, Davie A J, Zhou S. Correlations between peak power output, muscular strength and cycle time trial performance in triathletes.  J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 1998;  38 201-207
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 Coyle E F. Integration of the physiological factors determining endurance performance ability.  Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 1995;  23 25-63
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 Faria E W, Parker D L, Faria I E. The science of cycling: factors affecting performance - part 2.  Sports Med. 2005;  35 313-337
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Faria E W, Parker D L, Faria I E. The science of cycling: physiology and training - part 1.  Sports Med. 2005;  35 285-312
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Hawley J A, Noakes T D. Peak power output predicts maximal oxygen uptake and performance time in trained cyclists.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1992;  65 79-83
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Hill D W, Leiferman J A, Lynch N A, Dangelmaier B S, Burt S E. Temporal specificity in adaptations to high-intensity exercise training.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1998;  30 450-455
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 Hopkins W G. Measures of reliability in sports medicine and science.  Sports Med. 2000;  30 1-15
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Hopkins W G. Competitive performance of elite track-and-field athletes: variability and smallest worthwhile enhancements.  Sportscience. 2005;  9 17-20
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 12 Hopkins W G, Schabort E J, Hawley J A. Reliability of power in physical performance tests.  Sports Med. 2001;  31 211-234
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 Jeukendrup A E, Craig N P, Hawley J A. The bioenergetics of world class cycling.  J Sci Med Sport. 2000;  3 414-433
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 14 Jeukendrup A E, Martin J. Improving cycling performance: how should we spend our time and money.  Sports Med. 2001;  31 559-569
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 15 Laursen P B, Shing C M, Jenkins D G. Reproducibility of a laboratory-based 40-km cycle time trial on a stationary wind-trainer in highly trained cyclists.  Int J Sports Med. 2003;  24 481-485
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 16 Laursen P B, Shing C M, Peake J M, Coombes J S, Jenkins D G. Interval training program optimization in highly trained endurance cyclists.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2002;  34 1801-1807
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 17 Lucia A, Hoyos J, Carvajal A, Chicharro J L. Heart rate response to professional road cycling: the Tour de France.  Int J Sports Med. 1999;  20 167-172
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 18 Martin J C, Milliken D L, Cobb J E, McFadden K L, Coggan A R. Validation of a mathematical model for road cycling power.  J Appl Biomech. 1998;  14 276-291
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 19 Nevill A M, Jobson S A, Palmer G S, Olds T S. Scaling maximal oxygen uptake to predict cycling time trial performance in the field: a non-linear approach.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2005;  94 705-710
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 20 Palmer G S, Dennis S C, Noakes T D, Hawley J A. Assessment of the reproducibility of performance testing on an air-braked cycle-ergometer.  Int J Sports Med. 1996;  17 293-298
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 21 Paton C D, Hopkins W G. Tests of cycling performance.  Sports Med. 2001;  31 489-496
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 22 Smith M F, Davison R C, Balmer J, Bird S R. Reliability of mean power recorded during indoor and outdoor self-paced 40-km cycling time trials.  Int J Sports Med. 2001;  22 270-274
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 23 Westgarth-Taylor C, Hawley J A, Rickard S, Myburgh K H, Noakes T D, Dennis S C. Metabolic and performance adaptations to interval training in endurance-trained cyclists.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1997;  75 298-304
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar

Dr. PhD Gerald Stanley Zavorsky

Department of Anesthesia
McGill University

Rm. D10 - 144, 1650 Cedar Ave

H3G1A4 Montreal

Canada

Phone: + 1 51 49 34 19 34 ext.441 87

Fax: + 1 51 49 34 82 49

Email: gerald.zavorsky@mcgill.ca