THE LABORATORY ASSESSMENT OF ENDURANCE PERFORMANCE IN CYCLISTS

Performance in endurance activities depends on maximal aerobic capacit y (VO(2)max) and the ability to sustain a high percentage of VO(2)max over time. This study examined whether noninvasive laboratory measures would be valid predictors of endurance performance in an individual-s tart bicycle race (T/T). Eight experienced male cyclists (age = 25.1 /- 3.3 years, weight = 75.0 +/- 5.7 kg, VO(2)max = 5.05 +/- 0.4 L.min( -1)) performed a progressive incremental exercise test to exhaustion o n a cycle ergometer. VO(2)max, maximum power output, and ventilatory t hreshold were determined. Later the subjects completed a 40-km TT. Pow er output at the ventilatory threshold (VT watts) was correlated with race performance time and calculated power output during the competiti on (r = -0.81; r = 0.82). VT watts and VO(2)max accounted for 75% of t he variance between subjects (r = 0.91) in performance time. These dat a indicate that simple laboratory measures can predict TT performance in trained cyclists. Individual differences may be accounted forby mot ivation, aerodynamic position, and efficiency.