Abstract
Background
Endurance cycling performance is determined by maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), maximal metabolic steady state (MMSS), non-oxidative energy contribution (i.e., anaerobic capacity and anaerobic power) and cycling efficiency and power related to VO2max (pVO2max). Strength training can improve these variables. However, is yet to be clarified the effects of heavy strength training (≥ 80% of one repetition maximum).
Aim
The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to analyse heavy strength training effects on physiological determinants of endurance cyclists’ performance.
Methods
A systematic search was carried out in PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus including articles indexed up to February 2025. Following the PICOS criteria: Population, endurance cyclists aged ≥ 18 years or older, without restriction of sex or performance level; Intervention, heavy strength training (≥ 3 weeks); Comparator, group that performed cycling endurance training without receiving heavy strength training; Outcome, physiological determinants of endurance cycling (i.e., VO2max, pVO2max, MMSS, cycling efficiency, anaerobic capacity, and anaerobic power) and/or cycling performance (i.e., time to exhaustion and time trial [combined for analyses]), measured before and after the intervention and; Study design, randomised and non-randomised controlled studies. Risk of bias in studies was assessed (PEDro), and certainty of evidence at the outcome level (GRADE). Random-effects meta-analyses (for VO2max, pVO2max, MMSS, anaerobic capacity, anaerobic power and cycling performance), three-level random-effects meta-analyses (for cycling efficiency) and moderator analyses (i.e., participant and intervention characteristics) were conducted. Significance was set as p ≤ 0.05.
Results
Included studies (n = 17) comprised 262 participants (60 female) with a mean initial VO2max level of 61.25 ml/kg/min, with interventions lasting between 5 and 25 weeks, with 1–3 sessions per week. Compared to controls, heavy strength training showed a significant effect on cycling efficiency (effect size [ES] = 0.353, p = 0.012, LRTlevel2; level3 = 1), anaerobic power (ES = 0.560, p = 0.024, I2 = 29.100) and cycling performance (ES = 0.463, p = 0.016, I2
Description
This study reviews the impact of heavy strength training on cycling performance.