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Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans
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Physiological Response to Cycling With Variable Versus Constant Power Output.

Erik Borg Kolsung1, Gertjan Ettema1, Knut Skovereng1

  • 1Centre for Elite Sports Research, Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.

Frontiers in Physiology
|September 28, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Variable power output (VP) cycling, common in races, demands more oxygen and causes higher blood lactate than constant power output (CP). However, perceived exertion is similar, suggesting VP training is a viable alternative for cyclists.

Keywords:
constant powercyclingperformancephysiological responsevariable power

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Area of Science:

  • Sports Science
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Cycling Performance

Background:

  • Variable power output (VP) is characteristic of road cycling mass-starts and impacts performance.
  • Limited data exists on continuous physiological and perceptual responses to VP.
  • Understanding VP's effects is crucial for optimizing training and race strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare physiological responses and perceived exertion between VP and constant power output (CP) in elite cyclists.
  • To investigate if power variations above or below lactate threshold (LT) elicit different responses.
  • To assess the feasibility of VP training for cyclists.

Main Methods:

  • 15 elite cyclists underwent baseline and main testing over three days.
  • Four 28-minute bouts at low (70% LT) and high (95% LT) intensities, with VP and CP conditions.
  • Measurements included VO2, RER, HR, blood lactate (LA), RPE, cadence, and power output.

Main Results:

  • VP induced significantly higher VO2, HR, and LA than CP at both intensities.
  • Whole-bout RPE was similar between VP and CP at high intensity.
  • At high intensity, VP caused a greater LA increase and a lesser RPE increase compared to CP.

Conclusions:

  • Despite physiological differences, perceptual responses to VP and CP are similar in elite cyclists.
  • VP cycling elicits greater physiological strain (VO2, HR, LA) than CP.
  • Training with VP is a viable alternative to CP, especially at high intensities, for cyclists.