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Exercise intensity of cycle-touring events
G Neumayr1, R Pfister, G Mitterbauer
1Institute of Sports Medicine, University Clinics of Innsbruck, Austria. guenther.neumayer@sb-bruneck.it
International Journal of Sports Medicine
|October 29, 2002
Summary
Recreational cyclists experience high exercise intensity during endurance cycling events, similar to professionals. Thorough medical screening is recommended due to significant cardiovascular strain in these demanding events.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Cardiovascular Health
Background:
- Recreational cycling events like the Otztal Radmarathon present significant physical challenges.
- Understanding the exercise intensity and physiological strain is crucial for participant safety and performance.
- Previous research has focused on professional cyclists, leaving a gap in knowledge for recreational participants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the exercise intensity of recreational cyclists during a demanding cycling-touring event.
- To evaluate heart rate (HR) response and estimate cardiopulmonary strain in less-trained athletes.
- To compare the physiological demands on recreational cyclists with those of professional athletes.
Main Methods:
- 14 healthy male recreational cyclists participated in the 230 km Otztal Radmarathon.
- Heart rate (HR) monitoring was used to measure exercise intensity during the event.
- Exercise intensity was categorized into four zones based on percentages of maximal HR (HR(max)): recovery (<70%), moderate aerobic (70-80%), intense aerobic (80-90%), and anaerobic (>90%).
Main Results:
- All participants successfully completed the event with an average time of 10 h 14 min and average speed of 22.5 km/h.
- The mean maximal HR (HR(max)) was 188 bpm, with an average HR of 145 bpm (0.77 HR(average)/HR(max) ratio).
- Athletes spent 18.5% in recovery, 28% in moderate aerobic, 39.5% in intense aerobic, and 14% in anaerobic zones, with HR declining by 10% during the race.
Conclusions:
- Recreational cyclists endure high exercise intensity during long-distance cycling events, comparable to professional athletes.
- The majority of exercise (86%) occurred under aerobic conditions, but a significant portion (53.5%) involved high intensity, indicating substantial cardiopulmonary strain.
- Pre-participation medical screening is advisable for participants in such high-volume, high-intensity cycling events due to the significant cardiovascular demands.