Power Profile Index: An Adjustable Metric for Load Monitoring in Road Cycling

Workload is calculated from exercise volume and intensity. In endurance sports, intensity has been measured using heart rate or RPE, giving rise to load indexes such as sRPE or TRIMP. In cycling, the advent of power meters led to new indexes, such as TSS. All these indexes have limitations, especially for high intensity exercise. Therefore, a new index for cycling is proposed, the Power Profile Index (PPi), which includes a weighting factor obtained from the relative exercise intensity and stage type. Using power data from 67 WorldTour cyclists and fatigue records in different stage types from 102 road cyclists, weighting factors for intensity and stage type were determined. Subsequently, the PPi was computed and compared to current indexes using data from a WorldTour team during the 2018 Tour de France. The proposed index showed a strong correlation with perceived fatigue as a function of stage type (R-2 = 0.9996), as well as no differences in the load quantification in different types of stage profiles (p = 0.292), something that does not occur with other indexes such as TSS, RPE, or eTRIMP (p < 0.001). Therefore, PPi is a new index capable of quantifying the high intensity efforts that produce greater fatigue, as well as considering the stage type

Validity and Reliability of the Leomo Motion-Tracking Device Based on Inertial Measurement Unit with an Optoelectronic Camera System for Cycling Pedaling Evaluation

Abstract: Background: The use of inertial measurement sensors (IMUs), in the search for a more ecological measure, is spreading among sports professionals with the aim of improving the sports performance of cyclists. The kinematic evaluation using the Leomo system (TYPE-R, Leomo, Boulder, CO, USA) has become popular. Purpose: The present study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Leomo system by measuring the angular kinematics of the lower extremities in the sagittal plane during pedaling at different intensities compared to a gold-standard motion capture camera system (OptiTrack, Natural Point, Inc., Corvallis, OR, USA). Methods: Twenty-four elite cyclists recruited from national and international cycling teams performed two 6-min cycles of cycling on a cycle ergometer at two different intensities (first ventilatory threshold (VT1) and second ventilatory threshold (VT2)) in random order, with a 5 min rest between intensity conditions. The reliability and validity of the Leomo system versus the motion capture system were evaluated. Results: Both systems showed high validity and were consistently excellent in foot angular range Q1 (FAR (Q1)) and foot angular range (FAR) (ICC-VT1 between 0.91 and 0.95 and ICC-VT2 between 0.88 and 0.97), while the variables leg angular range (LAR) and pelvic angle showed a modest validity (ICC-VT1 from 0.52 to 0.71 and ICC-VT2 between 0.61 and 0.67). Compared with Optitrack, Leomo overestimated all the variables, especially the LAR and pelvic angle values, in a range between 12 and 15 . Conclusions: Leomo is a reliable and valid tool for analyzing the ranges of motion of the cyclist's lower limbs in the sagittal plane, especially for the variables FAR (Q1) and FAR. However, its systematic error for FAR and Pelvic Angle values must be considered in sports performance analysis

Efecto de un programa de intervención sobre el estrés percibido, autoestima y rendimiento en jóvenes pilotos de motociclismo de elite

In the motorcycling sport specialty, scientific literature has focused on technology, safety or even on injury variables; however there is little information regarding psychological variables. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of a technical and physical intervention on psychological variables such as self-esteem, self-assessment, appraisal of others and, finally, performance. The sample was made up of twenty-seven young elite road-race motorcyclists who competed in the Red Bull Moto GP Rookies Cup. 16 of whom completed an intervention program (Experimental Group, EG), while the other 14 belonged to the Control Group (CG). We collected the measurements in the first and last race of the season. Our results indicate the EG had controlled the stress level, had a better technique, physical, and psychological conditions, besides better competition performance, in comparison with the CG. We conclude that our intervention program has been effective at maintaining stress levels, bettering technical, tactical and psychological skills, and also improving performance throughout the competition period

Descriptive profile for lower-limb range of motion in professional road cyclists.

BACKGROUND: To describe the lower limb range of motion (ROM) profile in professional road cyclists. METHODS: Cohort study. One hundred and twenty-one road cyclists volunteered to participate. ROM measurements of passive hip flexion, extension, internal rotation, external rotation, knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion in dominant and non-dominant limbs were performed using an inclinometer. ROM scores were individually categorized as normal or restricted according to reference values. RESULTS: Overall, hip flexion was smaller in the non-dominant limb than in the dominant limb (F=12.429, P<0.001), with bilateral differences in male (95% mean diff: 0.5° to 3.3°) and female cyclists (95% mean diff: 0.1° to 3.1°). Sex differences were found in hip flexion (F=18.346, P<0.001), hip internal rotation (F=6.030, P=0.016) and ankle dorsiflexion (F=4.363, P=0.039), with males showing smaller ROM than females. Males and females had restricted knee flexion in dominant (males: 51.6%; females: 42.6%) and non-dominant limbs (males: 45.0%; females: 39.3%). Ankle dorsiflexion was also restricted in dominant (males: 38.3%; females: 31.1%) and non-dominant limbs (males: 41.6%; females: 34.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Elite road cyclists showed restricted lower-limb ROM according to reference values. In general, male cyclists showed lower values of ROM than females’ counterparts. These findings suggest that including specific stretching exercises and resistance training to improve knee and ankle dorsiflexion ROM may prevent muscle imbalances caused by chronic pedaling in professional cyclists.pre-print1080 K

Blood lactate concentration versus design and difficulty of the track in BMX

Este trabajo analiza si la producción láctica presenta una dinámica concreta según las fases de una carrera de BMX, y su posible relación con la dificultad/diseño de la pista. Nueve atletas del equipo nacional realizaron tres tipos de carrera: Sin pedalear (NP), Pedaleando sólo en Rampa de Salida (PRS), y Pedaleando Libremente (PL), en tres días y pistas de diferente dificultad: Alta (AD), Media (MD), y Baja (BD) -orden randomizado, contrabalanceado y con recuperaciones de 10 min-. Nuestros resultados atribuyen el 11,7% de la producción láctica a la aceleración inicial (PRS; mayor a mayor Dificultad), el 65,7% a las acciones de impulsión (NP), y el 22,6% al pedaleo final. El Anova de medidas repetidas muestra diferencias (p<0.000) a favor de PL, diferencias que se mantienen al considerar Dificultad*Pedaleo (p<0.022). El factor “dificultad”, afectado por el diseño, condiciona la lactacidemia al influir sobre la “técnica” posible en cada fase.This paper analyzes whether lactate production presents a specific dynamic according to the phases of a BMX race, and its possible relationship to the difficulty / design of the track. Nine Spanish national team athletes performed three types of bouts: No pedaling (NP), Pedaling only the Exit Ramp (PRS) and Pedaling Freely (PL) in three days and tracks of varying difficulty: High (AD), Medium (MD) and Low (BD)-randomized order, counterbalanced and with recoveries of 10 min. Our results attribute the 11.7% of lactate production to the initial acceleration (PRS; greater at higher difficulty), 65.7% to drive actions (NP), and 22.6% to the ending pedaling. The repeated measures ANOVA shows differences (p <0.000) in favor of PL, differences that remain when considering difficulty pedaling (p <0.022). The factor "difficulty", affected by the design of the track, affects the lactate production as difficulty influences the feasible "technique" in each phase

Nutritional Habits of Professional Cyclists during Pre-Season

The first aim of the present study was to assess the dietary intake of professional cyclists during pre-season. The second aim was to assess the dietary habits of this population during a complete season. Fifteen elite male (age: 23.2 +/- 5.4 years) and twenty-three elite female (age: 20.1 +/- 7.0 years) cyclists volunteered to participate in the study. Dietary nutrient intake during pre-season was assessed using a 72 h dietary recall interview, and a 136-item food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary habits during the year. Protein intake exceeded the PRI's recommendation of 0.83 g/kg/day for all cycling groups. Fat exceeded RI recommendations in females in both road (43.3%) and CXO (39.8%) cycling groups, whilst males were found to follow recommendations for fat intake. CHO intake was below recommendations in all groups. Intake of all vitamins exceeded recommendations, with the exception of B9 in female road cyclists (77.8% RDA) and vitamin D in all groups. With regards to mineral intake, consumption exceeded RDA/AI recommendations in all groups except for iodine in male XCO cyclists (61.6%), female road cyclists (61.6%), and female XCO cyclists (58%) and potassium in female road cyclists (74.6%). Males consumed greater amounts of eggs and non-processed foods than females. Road cyclists consumed greater amounts of fish and seafood and had a lower intake of coffee and tea than XCO cyclists. Better knowledge of food guidelines in terms of serving and food variety is important for professional cyclists at may impact health and performance

Impacto de las nuevas tecnologías en los niveles de actividad física y sedentarismo en el alumnado de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria: Diagnóstico y plan de acción

Actualmente las nuevas tecnologías están integradas en la sociedad y son una parte importante y significativa en la vida de los más jóvenes. Estas nuevas tecnologías en algunas ocasiones están relacionadas con un comportamiento sedentario que ha desembocado en la reducción de los niveles de actividad física de los niños, factor que está directamente relacionado con un incremento de la obesidad infantil. Se pretende buscar un nuevo enfoque en el que las nuevas tecnologías no supongan un cese de la actividad física, sino que la incrementen y ayuden a mejorar la motivación del alumnado hacia esta. Éstas se consideran como una oportunidad para incluir la actividad física en la vida de los alumnos, por lo que se trata de aprovechar la parte tan importante que estas suponen en su día a día y los niveles de atención que les suscitan para integrarlos en la asignatura de Educación Física

Power Profile Index: An Adjustable Metric for Load Monitoring in Road Cycling

Workload is calculated from exercise volume and intensity. In endurance sports, intensity has been measured using heart rate or RPE, giving rise to load indexes such as sRPE or TRIMP. In cycling, the advent of power meters led to new indexes, such as TSS. All these indexes have limitations, especially for high intensity exercise. Therefore, a new index for cycling is proposed, the Power Profile Index (PPi), which includes a weighting factor obtained from the relative exercise intensity and stage type. Using power data from 67 WorldTour cyclists and fatigue records in different stage types from 102 road cyclists, weighting factors for intensity and stage type were determined. Subsequently, the PPi was computed and compared to current indexes using data from a WorldTour team during the 2018 Tour de France. The proposed index showed a strong correlation with perceived fatigue as a function of stage type (R2 = 0.9996), as well as no differences in the load quantification in different types of stage profiles (p = 0.292), something that does not occur with other indexes such as TSS, RPE, or eTRIMP (p < 0.001). Therefore, PPi is a new index capable of quantifying the high intensity efforts that produce greater fatigue, as well as considering the stage type

Methods for epidemiological studies in competitive cycling:an extension of the IOC consensus statement on methods for recording and reporting of epidemiological data on injury and illness in sport 2020

In 2020, the IOC released a consensus statement that provides overall guidelines for the recording and reporting of epidemiological data on injury and illness in sport. Some aspects of this statement need to be further specified on a sport-by-sport basis. To extend the IOC consensus statement on methods for recording and reporting of epidemiological data on injury and illness in sports and to meet the sport-specific requirements of all cycling disciplines regulated by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). A panel of 20 experts, all with experience in cycling or cycling medicine, participated in the drafting of this cycling-specific extension of the IOC consensus statement. In preparation, panel members were sent the IOC consensus statement, the first draft of this manuscript and a list of topics to be discussed. The expert panel met in July 2020 for a 1-day video conference to discuss the manuscript and specific topics. The final manuscript was developed in an iterative process involving all panel members. This paper extends the IOC consensus statement to provide cycling-specific recommendations on health problem definitions, mode of onset, injury mechanisms and circumstances, diagnosis classifications, exposure, study population characteristics and data collection methods. Recommendations apply to all UCI cycling disciplines, for both able-bodied cyclists and para-cyclists. The recommendations presented in this consensus statement will improve the consistency and accuracy of future epidemiological studies of injury and illness in cycling

Cognitive Performance and Heart Rate Variability: The Influence of Fitness Level

In the present study, we investigated the relation between cognitive performance and heart rate variability as a function of fitness level. We measured the effect of three cognitive tasks (the psychomotor vigilance task, a temporal orienting task, and a duration discrimination task) on the heart rate variability of two groups of participants: a high-fit group and a low-fit group. Two major novel findings emerged from this study. First, the lowest values of heart rate variability were found during performance of the duration discrimination task, compared to the other two tasks. Second, the results showed a decrement in heart rate variability as a function of the time on task, although only in the low-fit group. Moreover, the high-fit group showed overall faster reaction times than the low-fit group in the psychomotor vigilance task, while there were not significant differences in performance between the two groups of participants in the other two cognitive tasks. In sum, our results highlighted the influence of cognitive processing on heart rate variability. Importantly, both behavioral and physiological results suggested that the main benefit obtained as a result of fitness level appeared to be associated with processes involving sustained attention.This research was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Educación y Cultura with a predoctoral grant (FPU-AP2010-3630) to the first author, Spanish grants SEJ2007-63645 from the Junta de Andalucía to Daniel Sanabria, Mikel Zabala and Esther Morales, and the CSD2008-00048 CONSOLIDER INGENIO (Dirección General de Investigación) to Daniel Sanabria