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Sitko S, Valenzuela P, Townsend N, Pinotti M, Zabala M, Artetxe X, Gallo G, Mateo-March M, Sanders D, Grappe F, Clarke DC, van Erp T, Viribay A. Antidoping 2.0: Is Adding Power-Output Data to the Antidoping Pool the Next Step? Experts' Viewpoint. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2024:1-4. [PMID: 39244192 DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2024-0088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Efforts are needed to improve antidoping procedures. The widespread use of power meters among cyclists could help in this regard. However, controversy exists on whether performance monitoring through power-output data could be of help for antidoping purposes. PURPOSE The objective of the present study was to provide insight into the feasibility and utility of implementing power-based performance monitoring in elite cycling. An expert panel of 15 applied sport scientists and professional cycling coaches were asked for their opinions and perspectives on incorporating power data into the antidoping risk-assessment process. RESULTS Two different viewpoints were identified from the responses provided by the experts. Some believed that power monitoring could be implemented as an antidoping tool, provided that several surmountable challenges are first addressed. These authors provided suggestions related to the potential practical implementation of such measures. Others, on the contrary, believed that power meters lack sufficient reliability and suggest that the professional cycling world presents conflicts of interest that make this intervention impossible to implement nowadays. CONCLUSIONS The debate around the utility of power-meter data in the antidoping fight has been ongoing for more than a decade. According to the opinions provided by the experts' panel, there is still no consensus on the real utility and practical implementation of this intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Sitko
- Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Huesca, Spain
| | - Pedro Valenzuela
- Department of Systems Biology, University of Alcalá, Alcala de Henares, Spain
- Physical Activity and Health Research Group (PaHerg), Alcala de Henares, Spain
| | - Nathan Townsend
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Mikel Zabala
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Xabier Artetxe
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of the Basque Country, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Gabriele Gallo
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genoa, Italy
- Centro Polifunzionale di Scienze Motore, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Manuel Mateo-March
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, European University, San Vicente Del Raspeig, Spain
- Department of Sport Sciences, Miguel Hernández University, Elche, Spain
| | - Dajo Sanders
- Department of Human Movement Science, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | | | - David C Clarke
- Department of Biomedical Physiology & Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Teun van Erp
- Team Tudor Pro Cycling, Nistelrode, the Netherlands
| | - Aitor Viribay
- Physiology, Nutrition and Sports, Glut4science, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of León, Leon, Spain
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Morais JE, Bragada JA, Magalhães PM, Marinho DA. The Accuracy and Reliability of the Power Measurements of the TACX Neo 2T Smart Trainer and Its Agreement against the Garmin Vector 3 Pedals. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2024; 9:138. [PMID: 39189223 PMCID: PMC11348236 DOI: 10.3390/jfmk9030138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2024] [Revised: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The power output in cycling is one of the most important factors for athletes and coaches. The cycling community has several commercial gears that can be used. One of the most used is the TACX Neo 2T (TN2T) smart trainer. The objective of this study was to investigate the metrological proprieties of the TN2T (accuracy and reliability), as well as its agreement with the Garmin Vector 3 (GV3) pedals at different power stages. The sample consisted of ten regional-level cyclists with a mean age of 45.6 ± 6.4 years, who regularly participated in regional and national competitions. Residual relative differences were found between the two devices. Both devices showed good reliability with coefficients of variation and intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.03% to 0.15% and from 0.731 to 0.968, respectively. Independent samples t-test comparison between devices showed no significant differences in all power stages (p > 0.05). Bland-Altman plots showed that more than 80% of the plots were within the 95% confidence intervals in all power stages. The present data showed that there were non-significant differences between the two devices at power stages between 100 W and 270 W, with a strong agreement. Therefore, they can be used simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge E. Morais
- Department of Sports Sciences, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal; (J.A.B.); (P.M.M.)
- Research Centre for Active Living and Wellbeing (LiveWell), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
| | - José A. Bragada
- Department of Sports Sciences, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal; (J.A.B.); (P.M.M.)
- Research Centre for Active Living and Wellbeing (LiveWell), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
| | - Pedro M. Magalhães
- Department of Sports Sciences, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal; (J.A.B.); (P.M.M.)
- Research Centre for Active Living and Wellbeing (LiveWell), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
| | - Daniel A. Marinho
- Department of Sports Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal;
- Research Centre in Sports, Health and Human Development (CIDESD), 4960-320 Covilhã, Portugal
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Borszcz FK, Ferreira Tramontin A, de Lucas RD, Pereira Costa V. Is the 5-Minute Time-Trial Cycling Test a Valid Predictor of Maximal Oxygen Uptake? An External Cross-Validation Study. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2024; 19:565-575. [PMID: 38569579 DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2023-0330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to cross-validate a recently proposed equation for the prediction of maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) in cycling exercise by using the average power output normalized by the body mass from a 5-minute time trial (RPO5-min) as the independent variable. Further, the study aimed to update the predictive equation using Bayesian informative prior distributions and meta-analysis. METHODS On different days, 49 male cyclists performed an incremental graded exercise test until exhaustion and a 5-minute time trial on a stationary cycle ergometer. We compared the actual V˙O2max with the predicted value obtained from the RPO5-min, using a modified Bayesian Bland-Altman agreement analysis. In addition, this study updated the data on the linear regression between V˙O2max and RPO5-min, by incorporating information from a previous study as a Bayesian informative prior distribution or via meta-analysis. RESULTS On average, the predicted V˙O2max using RPO5-min underestimated the actual V˙O2max by -6.6 mL·kg-1·min-1 (95% credible interval, -8.6 to -4.7 mL·kg-1·min-1). The lower and upper 95% limits of agreement were -17.2 (-22.7 to -12.3) and 3.8 (-1.0 to 9.5) mL·kg-1·min-1, respectively. When the current study's data were analyzed using the previously published data as a Bayesian informative prior distribution, the accuracy of predicting sample means was found to be better when compared with the data combined via meta-analyses. CONCLUSIONS The proposed equation presented systematic bias in our sample, in which the prediction underestimated the actual V˙O2max. We provide an updated equation using the previous one as the prior distribution, which could be generalized to a greater audience of cyclists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Klitzke Borszcz
- Human Performance Research Group, Center for Health and Sport Sciences, Santa Catarina State University, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
- Physical Effort Laboratory, Sports Center, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Artur Ferreira Tramontin
- Human Performance Research Group, Center for Health and Sport Sciences, Santa Catarina State University, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Dantas de Lucas
- Physical Effort Laboratory, Sports Center, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Vitor Pereira Costa
- Human Performance Research Group, Center for Health and Sport Sciences, Santa Catarina State University, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
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Mateo-March M, Leo P, Muriel X, Javaloyes A, Mujika I, Barranco-Gil D, Pallarés JG, Lucia A, Valenzuela PL. Is all work the same? Performance after accumulated work of differing intensities in male professional cyclists. J Sci Med Sport 2024; 27:430-434. [PMID: 38604818 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2024.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although the ability to attenuate power output (PO) declines after accumulated work (i.e., 'durability') is increasingly recognized as a major determinant of cycling performance, the potential role of the intensity of the previous work is unclear. We assessed the effect of work-matched levels of accumulated work at different intensities on performance in male professional cyclists. DESIGN Observational field-based study. METHODS PO data was registered in 17 cyclists during a competition season, and the critical power (CP) was repeatedly determined every 4 weeks from training sessions and competitions. Participants' maximum mean power (MMP) for different durations (5 s, 5 min, 10 min, and 20 min) and the CP were determined under 'fresh' conditions (0 kJ·kg-1) and after varying levels of accumulated work (2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 kJ·kg-1) at intensities below and above the CP. RESULTS A significant decline was found for all MMP values following all levels of accumulated work above the CP (-4.0 %, -1.7 %, -1.8 %, and -3.2 % for 30s, 5 min, 10 min and 20 min-MMP, respectively; all p < 0.001), versus no change after any level of accumulated work below the CP (all p > 0.05). Similar results were observed for the CP, which decreased after all levels of accumulated work above (-2.2 %, -6.1 %, and -16.2 %, after 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 kJ·kg-1, p < 0.001) but not below this indicator (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In male professional cyclists, accumulated work above the CP impairs performance compared with work-matched, albeit less intense efforts. This raises concerns on the use of mechanical work per se as a single fatigue/stress indicator in these athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Mateo-March
- Department of Sport Sciences, Sports Research Center, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Spain; Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Spain. https://twitter.com/mmateo_march
| | - Peter Leo
- University Innsbruck, Department Sport Science, Austria. https://twitter.com/peter_leo
| | - Xabier Muriel
- Human Performance and Sports Science Laboratory, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Murcia, Spain. https://twitter.com/xabimu
| | - Alejandro Javaloyes
- Department of Sport Sciences, Sports Research Center, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Spain. https://twitter.com/alejandro_java
| | - Iñigo Mujika
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, Spain; Exercise Science Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Finis Terrae, Chile. https://twitter.com/inigomujika
| | | | - Jesús G Pallarés
- Human Performance and Sports Science Laboratory, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Murcia, Spain. https://twitter.com/dpallaresjg
| | - Alejandro Lucia
- Physical Activity and Health Research Group (PAHERG), Research Institute of the Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain; Department of Systems Biology, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro L Valenzuela
- Physical Activity and Health Research Group (PAHERG), Research Institute of the Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain; Department of Systems Biology, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain. https://twitter.com/pl_valenzuela
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Sitko S, López-Laval I, Cirer-Sastre R. Influence of Conventional Resistance Training Compared to Core Exercises on Road Cycling Power Output. Cureus 2024; 16:e59371. [PMID: 38817493 PMCID: PMC11137631 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Conventional strength training and core exercises are commonly prescribed to improve cycling performance. Although previous studies have explored the utility of strength training in various cycling populations, this intervention has never been compared to core exercises. Thirty-six trained road cyclists were divided into three groups of 12 participants that performed either no strength training, conventional strength training, or core exercises, in all cases together with their regular cycling training during a 12-week period. Peak power outputs (POs) across different durations (five seconds, 60 seconds, five minutes, and 20 minutes) were recorded before and after the intervention. The results of the present study showed higher increases in relative PO with conventional strength training when compared to core training and no strength training for all measured durations: five-second Δ = 1.25 W/kg vs 0.47 W/kg and -0.17 W/kg; 60-second (Δ = 0.51 W/kg vs 0.13 W/kg and 0.02 W/kg; five-minute Δ = 0.22 W/kg vs 0.06 W/kg and 0.05 W/kg; and 20-minute Δ = 0.22 W/kg vs 0.07 W/kg and 0.06 W/kg. According to the data obtained in this study, conventional strength training is superior to core exercises, and no strength training was performed by trained road cyclists. Accordingly, it is recommended that this population incorporates strength training during their regular weekly workouts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Sitko
- Physiatry and Nursing, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, ESP
| | | | - Rafel Cirer-Sastre
- National Institute for Physical Education of Catalonia, Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, ESP
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Barranco-Gil D, Muriel X, Lucia A, Joyner MJ, DeSouza CA, Valenzuela PL. The Tour de France, also possible for mortals? A comparison of a recreational and a World Tour cyclist. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2024; 136:432-436. [PMID: 38174376 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00798.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cycling Grand Tours are arguably the epitome of strenuous endurance exercise, and they have been reported to represent the ceiling of sustained energy expenditure for humans. It remains unknown, however, if an average recreational athlete could endure such an event. Through the analysis of power output (PO), we compared data from the 2023 Tour de France (21 stages, total distance = 3,405 km, elevation gain = 51,815 m) in a recreational (male, age = 58 yr; height = 191 cm; body mass = 96.1 kg; estimated maximum oxygen uptake = 45.4 mL·kg-1·min-1) and a sex-matched professional (World-Tour) cyclist (28 yr; 180 cm; 67.0 kg; 80.5 mL·kg-1·min-1). The recreational and professional cyclist completed the event in 191 and 87 h, respectively (average PO of 1.50 and 3.45 W·kg-1), with the latter spending a greater proportion of time in high-intensity zones. The recreational cyclist showed an estimated total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) of 35.9 MJ [or 8,580 kcal, or ∼4.3× his daily basal metabolic rate (BMR)], whereas lower absolute values were estimated for the professional cyclist (29.7 MJ, 7,098 kcal, ∼3.8× his BMR). Despite such high TDEE values, both individuals lost minimal body mass during the event (0-2 kg). The present report therefore suggests that, partly due to differences in exercise intensity and duration, not only professional cyclists but also recreational athletes can reach currently known ceilings of TDEE for humans.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This case report indicates that a recreationally trained 58-year-old man can reach similar or even higher values of energy expenditure (∼4 times their basal metabolic rate) than professional cyclists, who are likely near the ceiling of sustained energy expenditure for humans. This was possible owing to a total longer exercise time coupled with a lower absolute and relative intensity in the recreational athlete.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xabier Muriel
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Human Performance and Sports Science Laboratory, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Alejandro Lucia
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Michael J Joyner
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Christopher A DeSouza
- Integrative Vascular Biology Laboratory, Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States
| | - Pedro L Valenzuela
- Physical Activity and Health Research Group ('PaHerg'), Research Institute of Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Systems Biology, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
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Valenzuela PL, Mateo-March M, Muriel X, Zabala M, Lucia A, Barranco-Gil D, Pallares JG. Between-Seasons Variability of Cyclists' Peak Performance: A Longitudinal Analysis of "Real-World" Power Output Data in Male Professional Cyclists. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2023; 18:1141-1144. [PMID: 37385604 DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2023-0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The record power profile (RPP) has gained popularity as a method of monitoring endurance cycling performance. However, the expected variation of cyclists' performance between seasons remains unknown. We aimed to assess the between-seasons variability of peak performance (assessed through the RPP) in male professional cyclists. METHODS The study followed a longitudinal observational design. Sixty-one male professional cyclists (age 26 [5] y) with power output data from both training sessions and competitions were analyzed for a median of 4 consecutive seasons (range 2-12). The highest mean maximum power values attained for different durations (from 10 s to 30 min), as well as the resulting critical power, were determined for each season. Within-cyclist variability between seasons was assessed, and the upper threshold of expected changes (ie, twice the normal coefficient of variation) was determined. RESULTS All mean maximum power values showed an overall high agreement and low variability between seasons (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = .76-.88 and coefficient of variation [CV] = 3.2%-5.9%), with the lowest variability observed for long efforts (>1 min). Critical power showed an ICC and CV of .79 (95% CI, .70-.85) and 3.3% (95% CI, 3.0%-3.7%), respectively. Upper thresholds of expected variation were <12% for short efforts (≤1 min) and <8% for long efforts. CONCLUSIONS "Real-world" peak performance assessed through the RPP shows a low variability between seasons in male professional cyclists-especially for long efforts-with expected variation being around 6% and 3% for short (≤1 min) and long efforts, respectively, and with changes >12% and >8%, respectively, being infrequent for these effort durations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro L Valenzuela
- Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Grupo de Investigación en Actividad Física y Salud (PaHerg), Madrid,Spain
- Department of Systems Biology, University of Alcalá, Madrid,Spain
| | - Manuel Mateo-March
- Sport Science Department, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche,Spain
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid,Spain
| | - Xabier Muriel
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Human Performance and Sports Science Laboratory, University of Murcia, Murcia,Spain
| | - Mikel Zabala
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Department of Physical Education & Sport, University of Granada, Granada,Spain
| | - Alejandro Lucia
- Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Grupo de Investigación en Actividad Física y Salud (PaHerg), Madrid,Spain
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid,Spain
| | | | - Jesús G Pallares
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Human Performance and Sports Science Laboratory, University of Murcia, Murcia,Spain
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Valenzuela PL, Mateo-March M, Muriel X, Zabala M, Lucia A, Pallares JG, Barranco-Gil D. Road gradient and cycling power: An observational study in male professional cyclists. J Sci Med Sport 2022; 25:1017-1022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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