Development of Cycling Performance Variables and Durability in Female and Male National Team Cyclists: From Junior to Senior

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aim This study investigated the development of power profiles and performance-related measures from the junior level (<19 yr) via U23 (19–23 yr) to senior level (>23 yr) in 19 female and 100 male Norwegian national team cyclists. Methods A total of 285 tests were performed in a 3-d laboratory-standardized testing regime. The tests included power profiles with shorter duration (6–60 s) and longer durations (12–30 min) together with performance-related measures: critical power (CP), work capacity above CP (W′), power output at 4 and 2 mmol·L−1 [BLa−] (L4 and L2), maximal aerobic power (Wmax), and maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max), gross efficiency (GE), and pedaling efficiency. Results Females and males evolve similarly when maturing from junior via U23 to senior categories (all P > 0.07), except for V̇O2max, which increased in females (but not males) from junior to senior level (534 ± 436 mL·min−1, P = 0.013). In general, only performances of longer durations improved with age (12 and 30 min, P = 0.028 and P = 0.042, respectively). Performance-related measures like Wmax, V̇O2max, CP, L4, L2, and pedaling efficiency in the fresh state improved with age (all P ≤ 0.025). Importantly, performance in the semifatigued state during a 5-min maximal test was also improved with age (P = 0.045) despite a higher external energy expenditure before the test (P = 0.026). Conclusions Junior cyclists show highly developed sprint abilities, and the primary improvements of absolute power outputs and performance-related measures are seen for durations >60 s when maturing to U23 and senior categories. However, the durability, i.e., the capacity to maintain performance in a semifatigued state, is improved with age.