AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC POWER CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPETITIVE CYCLISTS IN THE UNITED-STATES CYCLING FEDERATION

The purpose of this study was to characterize the aerobic and anaerobi c capabilities of United States Cycling Federation cyclists in differe nt categories. To determine aerobic and anaerobic power, 38 competitiv e road cyclists (32 males, 6 females) performed a VO2Max test and a Wi ngate anaerobic test, respectively. Male cyclists in category II had t he highest VO2max, both in absolute and relative terms. Their VO2max w as 6 % and 10 % higher than category Ill and IV cyclists, respectively (4.98 +/- 0.14 vs 4.72 +/- 0.15 vs 4.54 +/- 0.121/min). A significant difference existed between category II and IV male cyclists (p < 0.05 ). VO2max for female cyclists (3.37 +/- 0.131/min) was significantly ( p < 0.05) lower than those for males. The Wingate anaerobic test revea led that male cyclists in category II also had the highest anaerobic p ower output. The peak power output in category II, III and IV was 13.8 6 +/- 0.23, 13.55 +/- 0.25, and 12.80 +/- 0.41 W/kg, respectively The mean power output in category II, III, and IV was 11.22 +/- 0.18, 11.0 6 +/- 0.15, and 10.40 +/- 0.30 W/kg, respectively. The difference in t he mean power output between category II and IV was significant (p < 0 .05). Female cyclists recorded significantly less peak and mean power output than their male counterparts (p < 0.05). However, when expresse d relative to lean body mass, anaerobic power was similar for both sex es. No inter-correlation was found in any measurement between the aero bic and anaerobic power values. On the whole, category II male cyclist s were characterized by higher aerobic and anaerobic power outputs. Th ese results suggest that both aerobic and anaerobic power may be impor tant determinants for competitive cycling performance.