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Differences in Performance Assessments Conducted Indoors and Outdoors in Professional Cyclists
Elliot S Lipski1, David J Spindler1, Matthijs K C Hesselink1
1Department of Nutrition and Movement Sciences, NUTRIM School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht,the Netherlands.
Summary
Elite cyclists perform better in outdoor maximal power tests than indoor tests. Results show higher power output outdoors, indicating indoor and outdoor testing are not interchangeable for these athletes.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Cycling Performance
Background:
- Accurate performance assessment is crucial for elite cyclists.
- Understanding environmental influences on physiological testing is important.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare maximal power output and performance metrics between indoor and outdoor testing conditions for elite cyclists.
- To determine if indoor cycling performance tests are equivalent to outdoor tests.
Main Methods:
- Fourteen elite male cyclists (UCI Continental/World Tour) completed four maximal mean power tests (60-840 seconds) indoors and outdoors within 14 days.
- Measurements included maximum mean power, critical power, work capacity above critical power, and self-selected cadence.
Main Results:
- Mean power output was significantly higher during outdoor testing across all durations (P < .05).
- Critical power was 19 W higher outdoors (P = .005), with no difference in work capacity above critical power.
- Self-selected cadence was higher indoors for 60- and 300-second tests.
Conclusions:
- Maximal power testing results from indoor and outdoor settings are not interchangeable for elite cyclists.
- Significant individual variability exists in the indoor-outdoor power difference, complicating direct result translation.
- These findings highlight the need for context-specific interpretation of cycling performance data.
