Deception Improves Time Trial Performance in Well-trained Cyclists without Augmented Fatigue.

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Science
• Cycling Performance

Background:

• Neuromuscular fatigue is a key factor limiting endurance performance.
• Virtual feedback systems are increasingly used to enhance training and competition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the impact of virtual avatar feedback on neuromuscular fatigue during a 4-km cycling time trial (TT).
• To test the hypothesis that improved performance with feedback would correlate with increased neuromuscular fatigue.

Main Methods:

• 10 well-trained cyclists completed a 4-km TT under three conditions: baseline (no feedback), racing a 100% accurate avatar, and racing a 102% deceptive avatar.
• Neuromuscular fatigue was assessed via maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) and femoral nerve stimulation.
• Blood lactate and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were also measured.

Main Results:

• Cycling TT performance improved significantly when cyclists raced against the 102% deceptive avatar compared to baseline (-5.8 s, P = 0.019).
• Blood lactate levels increased post-trial with deceptive feedback (P = 0.019).
• No significant differences in neuromuscular fatigue measures or RPE were observed across conditions.

Conclusions:

• Well-trained cyclists can enhance TT performance by competing against a virtual avatar set at 102% of their baseline effort.
• This performance improvement is not accompanied by a measurable increase in neuromuscular fatigue.