Abstract
The purpose of our investigation was to determine the most informative physiological characteristics to monitor training effect in highly qualifi ed road cyclists. Fourteen Latvian Olympic Team road cyclists with training experience from seven to nine years participated in the investigation voluntarily (their average age was 19.3 ± 1.1 years, height — 183.6 ± 5.4 cm, body mass — 73.4 ± 3.8 kg). The aerobic performance tests were carried out in the Latvian Olympic Team Laboratory at the initial and middle phase of their preparation period of training. The initial load of 27 W was increased every two minutes step by step by 12 W. The cardiopulmonary diagnostic equipment was used to register the electrocardiograms and respiratory characteristics. The lactic acid concentration in the capillary blood was tested. The maximal oxygen uptake (4.62 ± 0.40 l / min and 63.2 ± 4.8 ml / kg·min) and power output (376 ± 36 W and 5.13 ± 0.44 W / kg) in the cyclists were signifi cantly lower in comparison with the data received by other authors. At the initial or middle phase of the preparation period of training these characteristics did not reach their maxi- mal values. The oxygen uptake (3.85 ± 0.30 l / min and 52.6 ± 3.7 ml / kg·min) and power output (296 ± 28 R and 4.04 ± 0.33 W / kg) at the anaerobic threshold intensity load were in a good agreement with the data of other in- vestigators. These characteristics depend on the central and peripheral mechanisms of aerobic capacity in the cyc- lists, and are useful in the estimation and monitoring of the endurance performance.
Description
Study investigates physiological characteristics of road cyclists to monitor training effects.