(52) PEAK OXYGEN CONSUMPTION AND ANAEROBIC THRESHOLDS IN COLLEGE-AGED, COMPETITIVE CYCLISTS

Purpose: Cycling at the collegiate level is increasing in popularity within the United States. However, there is a lack of research describing aerobic performance metrics of trained cyclists of this age. The purpose of this study was to assess common aerobic fitness metrics of trained college-aged cyclists from a variety of cycling disciplines and explore the relationships between performance and anthropometric measures.

 

Methods: Ten (n = 2 females; aged 19 ± 2 years) well trained cyclists who compete in multiple disciplines including cross country, short track, dual slalom, cyclocross, and road participated in the study. These athletes completed anthropometric measures (e.g., height, weight, and BIA body fat) and a graded exercise test on an electronically-braked cycle ergometer. After a standardized warmup, the protocol began at 100 W and increased 50 W every two minutes until the participant voluntarily stopped or could no longer maintain a 50 RPM cadence. Heart rate and expired air were measured continuously. Expired air was analyzed via indirect calorimetry and binned in 30-s averages for analysis. VO2peak was determined by the highest recorded 30-s VO2 average. Anaerobic threshold was determined when the VCO2/VO2 ratio (Respiratory Exchange Ratio) was greater than 1.0. Summary statistics are listed below, and Pearson’s correlations were utilized to explore relationships between anthropometric data and performance data.

 

Results: Results are reported as mean ± SD. The average for peak watts attainted during the graded exercise test was 350 ± 100 W (max to min = males: 250 to 400 W; females: 200 W). The average heart rate max was 192 ± 9 bpm. The average VO2peak was 52.5 ± 8.9 ml/kg/min. Per unit of lean body mass, VO2peak was 58.5 ± 12.5 mL/kg (LBM)/min. VO2 at anaerobic threshold was 47.4 ± 8.6 ml/kg/min (90% of VO2peak). Heart rate at anaerobic threshold was 174 ± 17.4 bpm (90% of heart rate max). The average body fat percentage was 12.4 ± 5.6 (males: 6 to 22%; females: 16 to 22%). Pearsons’s correlations revealed body fat percentage (p = 0.015, r = -0.738) was inversely correlated with VO2peak. In addition, VO2 peak relative to lean body mass was correlated with VO2peak relative to body weight (p < 0.001, r = 0.991).

Conclusions: These athletes VO2peaks are in the 90^th percentile for males and females. Participants reached their anaerobic threshold at group mean value of 90 ± 7% VO2peak and 90 ± 17% of heart rate max. These data demonstrate young, highly trained cycling athletes have excellent VO2peak values and high anaerobic thresholds. In addition, having a lower body fat percentage, even in this group of lean athletes, may yield higher VO2peaks.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: These data contribute to establishing normative data in this population. Additionally, research to help establish aerobic fitness and anthropometric norms is warranted in trained college age male and female cyclists to inform coaching, athlete monitoring, and program design. Furthermore, reducing body fat may improve cyclists VO2peak.

Acknowledgements: None