Aplicabilidad del perfil de potencia máximo en ciclismo profesional, valores normativos, efecto de la fatiga y el desentrenamiento

Abstract

Introduction and Objectives: We initially evaluated the repeatability of the record power profile (RPP) over the course of a professional cycling season. We then compare the physical demands and performance indicators of male professional cyclists from 2 different categories (WorldTour [WT] and ProTeam [PT]) during a grand tour overall, for each week, with or without previous accumulated work, analysing durability and repeatability, which seem to be emerging as determinants of performance in professional cycling. Our aim is to analyse whether these markers differ between professional cyclists at two competitive levels during a Grand Tour. Methods and Results: Article ‐ This study assessed the repeatability of the record power profile (RPP) throughout a professional cycling season. We studied 12 cyclists (age 32.3 ± 4.8 years, 11 ± 5 years of experience in the professional category, including several top‐3 finishers and winners of a Grand Tour). The repeatability of the RPP for each effort duration was assessed during different periods of the season (preparation, specific, and competition period, respectively). Once the specific or competitive period has been reached, the error of the measurement associated to the RPP is very limited for long‐duration efforts equal to or greater than 5 min (SEM < 4%). However, for shorter duration efforts, or when only training records are taken into account, the error considerably increases (SEM = 4.6 – 12.5%). Article 2 ‐ We studied WT team (n = 8, 31.4 ± 5.4 y) and a PT team (n = 7; 26.9 ± 3.3 y) that completed “La Vuelta 2020” volunteered to participate. Participants’ power output (PO) was registered, and measures of physical demand and physiological performance (kilojoules spent, training stress score, time spent at different PO bands/zones, and mean maximal PO [MMP] for different exertion durations) were computed. Results: WT achieved a XVI higher final individual position than PT (31 [interquartile range = 33] vs. 71 [59], P = 0,004). WT cyclists showed higher mean PO and kilojoule values than their PT peers and spent more time at high‐intensity PO values (> 5.25 W∙kg‐1) and zones (91%–120% of individualized functional threshold power) (Ps < 0,05). Although no differences were found for MMP values in the overall analysis (P > 0,05), sub analyses revealed that the between‐groups gap increased through the race, with WT cyclists reaching higher MMP values for 5‐minute efforts in the second and third weeks (P < 0,05). Article 3 ‐ We studied 8 WT and 7 PT cyclists who competed in ‘La Vuelta 2020’. Durability was assessed with the mean maximal power (MMP) values attained between 5 s ‐ 30 min after different levels of mechanical work done (0 ‐ 35 kJ∙kg‐1). Repeatability was assessed as the ability to repeat efforts > 95% MMP. Although no differences were found for durability during the whole race (p = 0,209), a significant interaction effect was found in separate analyses by week (p = 0,011). Thus, during the first week and in the ‘fresh’ state (0 kJ∙kg‐1), WT cyclists solely attained significantly higher MMP values for 30‐min efforts. However, these differences enlarged with accumulating levels of fatigue (e.g., significantly higher MMP values in WT cyclists for 30‐ sec, 1‐min, 5‐min, 20‐min and 30‐min efforts after 35 kJ∙kg‐1). On the other hand, no between‐group differences were found in repeatability for the whole race (P = 0,777) or in separate analyses by week (P = 0.808). Conclusions: The findings of this first study suggest that the RPP is a repeatable parameter for monitoring field‐based repeatable outcomes under similar conditions. In the second and third, we have observed, WT cyclists spend more time at high intensities and show higher kilojoules and mean PO than their PT referents during a grand tour. Although the highest MMP values attained during the whole race might not differentiate between XVII WT and PT cyclists in “non‐fatigued” conditions, the former achieves higher MMP values as the race progresses. In summary, the present results support the role of durability (but not of repeatability) as a performance indicator during professional cycling races.