VALIDITY OF A VELODROME TEST FOR COMPETITIVE ROAD CYCLISTS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of a velodrome fiel d test consisting of repeated rides of 2,280 m, with an initial speed of 28 km . h(-1) and increments of 1.5 km . h(-1) interspersed with 1- min recovery periods until exhaustion. A group of 12 male competitive road cyclists performed maximal cycling tests under velodrome and labo ratory conditions. Velodrome oxygen uptake (VO2) and power output were estimated using equations previously published. Physiological respons es to the two tests were compared. Relationships between performance i n the velodrome and physiological parameters measured in the laborator y were studied. Maximal power output, heart rate and 302 were similar in the velodrome and the laboratory [372 (SD 50) vs 365 (SD 36) W, 195 (SD 8) vs 196 (SD 9) beats . min(-1) and 4.49 (SD 0.56) vs 4.49 (SD 0 .46)l . min(-1), respectively], while maximal velodrome blood lactate concentration was significantly higher [13.5 (SD 2.1) vs 11.8 (SD 3.1) mmol . l(-1)]. Velodrome heart rate was higher at submaximal exercise intensities representing 40%, 50% and 60% of maximal aerobic power, a nd velodrome blood lactate concentration was also higher at 60%, 70% a nd 80% of maximal aerobic power. The laboratory parameter that showed the highest correlation with the maximal cycling speed in the velodrom e was maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) expressed per unit of body mass ( r=0.93). In addition, the accuracy of different methods of estimation of the metabolic cost of cycling, rolling resistance, air resistance c oefficients and VO2max were compared. Significant differences were fou nd. In conclusion, the present results indicated the validity of a vel odrome test used to estimate maximal aerobic parameters of competitive road cyclists, as long as the estimation is made using established eq uations. When road cyclists are tested in the laboratory, physiologica l values should be expressed per unit of body surface area or body mas s, to predict more accurately the cyclist's performance level under sp ecific field conditions.