Year: 2013
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This pilot study described and compared the power output (absolute, relative to body weight and relative to frontal area) recorded during successful road sprints in professional and under 23 men’s cycling races. The study also described the exercise intensity and requirements of sprinters throughout final 10 min of the race. Nine successful (top 3) sprints performed by a professional (PRO: 23 y old, 1.76 m, 71.8 kg) and an under 23 (U23: 18 y old, 1.67 m, 63.2 kg) cyclist sprinter were analysed in this study. No statistical differences were found in absolute peak and average sprint power (PRO: 1370±51 W and 1120±33 W; U23: 1318±60 W and 1112±68 W). The average power output relative to body weight and to projected frontal area (Ap) was lower in PRO than U23 (15.6±0.4 and 17.4±1.1 W•kg-1; and 2533±76 and 2740±169 W•Ap-1, respectively) (P=0.016). The intensity of the last 10 min prior to the sprint was significantly higher in PRO than U23 (4.6±0.3 and 3.7±0.2 W•kg-1, respectively) (P2500 W•Ap-1 or >15.5 W•kg-1 for approximately 14 s, with a peak power output >3100 W•Ap-1 or >19 W•kg-1) indicates that sprint characteristics may be somewhat similar between PRO or U23 races. Further research is warranted in order to better understand physiological and tactical aspects important to road sprint cycling.
Authors: Menaspa, Paolo, Quod, Marc, Martin, David, Victor, James, Abbiss, Chris
Institutions: Edith Cowan University, Orica (Australia)
Language: English
Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1526712448