Int J Sports Med 2009; 30(4): 240-244
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1105948
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Time Trial Exertion Traits of Cycling's Grand Tours

C. P. Earnest 1 , C. Foster 2 , J. Hoyos 3 , C. A. Muniesa 4 , A. Santalla 5 , A. Lucia 4
  • 1Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Exercise Biology Laboratory, Baton Rouge, United States
  • 2Exercise and Sport Science, University of Wisconsin LaCrosse, La Crosee, United States
  • 3Professional Cycling Team, Caísse d’Espargne, Pamplona, Spain
  • 4Exercise Physiology, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
  • 5Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilal, Spain
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Publikationsverlauf

accepted after revision October 16, 2008

Publikationsdatum:
06. Februar 2009 (online)

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Abstract

We examined 26 professional riders during time trial (TT) competitions of the Grand Tours of cycling (Tour de France and Vuelta Espana; 1997–2003) for the exertional characteristics of contending vs. non-contending (i.e., support) riders. We categorized HR time during TT into training impulse (TRIMP) defined from seasonal VO2max testing [Phase I (<ventilatory threshold (VT≈64% VO2max); Phase II (VT - respiratory compensation threshold, ≈83% VO2max); Phase III >RCP]. Races were: Short TT (<15 km; 8.9±2.9 km); Individual TT (>15 km; 48.12±8.7 km); Uphill TT (20.0±8.7 km) and Team TT (44.1±20.9 km). We observed statistically significant event-by-contender interactions for all TT (all, P<0.0001) except the short TT. During uphill TT, contenders exerted fewer total TRIMP (P<0.01), more Zone 3 TRIMP (P<0.05), and fewer Zone 2 TRIMP (P<0.01) vs. non-contenders. For individual TT, contenders accumulated more Total and Zone 3 TRIMP vs. non-contenders (all, P<0.05). Interestingly, during the team TT, contenders accumulated more Zone 3, and fewer Zone 2 TRIMP (all, P<0.05), despite having the opportunity to draft behind other riders while in paceline race formation. During TT events, contending riders compete at a level of exertion corresponding to a higher metabolic demand during the uphill TT, individual TT and team TT.

References

Correspondence

Dr. C. P. EarnestPhD 

Exercise Biology Laboratory

Pennington Biomedical Research Center

6400 Perkins Road

70808 Baton Rouge

United States

Telefon: +225/763/26 32

Fax: +225/763/26 32

eMail: Conrad.Earnest@pbrc.edu