PHYSIOLOGICAL PROFILES OF ELITE OFF-ROAD AND ROAD CYCLISTS

There are minimal scientific data describing international caliber off -road cyclists (mountain bikers), particularly as they compare physiol ogically with international caliber road cyclists. Elite female (N = 1 0) and male (N = 10) athletes representing the United States National Off-Road Bicycle Association (NORBA) Cross-Country Team were compared with elite female (N = 10) and male (N = 10) athletes representing the United States Cycling Federation (USCF) National Road Team. Submaxima l and maximal exercise responses were evaluated during the ''champions hip'' phase of the training year when athletes were in peak condition. All physiological tests were conducted at 1860 m. Among the female at hletes, physiological responses at lactate threshold (LT) and during m aximal exercise (MAX) were similar between NORBA and USCF cyclists wit h two exceptions: 1) USCF cyclists demonstrated a significantly greate r (P < 0.05) absolute (16%) and relative (10%) maximal aerobic power, and 2) MAX heart rate was significantly higher (P < 0.05) for the USCF athletes (6%). Among the male athletes, physiological responses at LT and MAX were similar between NORBA and USCF cyclists with two excepti ons: 1) USCF cyclists produced significantly greater (P < 0.05) absolu te (18%) and relative (16%) power at LT, and 2) USCF cyclists produced significantly greater (P < 0.05) absolute (12%) and relative (10%) po wer at MAX. These data suggest that, in general, elite off-road cyclis ts possess physiological profiles that are similar to elite road cycli sts.