The predictive effect of well trained elite men road cyclists' anthropometry values and strength endurance on climb time trial performance

Background: Cycling performance is primarily determined by endurance, with both lower and upper extremity muscle strength having a decisive impact on race performance. No studies have examined the relationship between strength values and field performance, especially in elite level male road cyclists. The aim of this study was to explore and the relationship between anthropometric values, strength endurance and climb time trial (TT) performance in elite male road cyclists. Methods: A total of 36 male road cyclists volunteered to participate (age: 21 ± 2 year, height: 175 ± 3 cm, weight: 70 ± 4 kg; body fat ratio: 8 ± 2%). The athletes underwent five visits: for demographic data collection, height and body weight measurements, body composition analysis, strength assessment (plank, push-up, pull-up, squat, barbell curl) and a TT test. Results: The results of multiple linear regression analysis revealed a statistically significant prediction formula, showing that plank duration and push-up repetitions could predict hill TT performance time (r = 0.66 and r2 = 0.44 (t (2, 33) = 13.099, p < 0.001) and average cycling speed at (r = 0.69 and r2 = 0.48 levels (t (2, 33) = 9.149, p < 0.001). However, no significant prediction formula was found for the anthropometric parameters (body weight, body fat ratio, muscle mass, bone mineral content, total body water, muscle mass ratio). Anthropometric values were not predictive of hill TT duration (t (2, 33) = 2.132, p = 0.070) and average speed (t (2, 33) = 1.519, p = 0.297). Conclusions: In conclusion, the duration of plank and push-up endurance movements are significantly related to hill time trial performance and these exercises serve as predictors for cycling performance.

Cycling; Elite men; Endurance; Exercise physiology; Performance; Strength

[1] Bláfoss R, Rikardo J, Andersen AØ, Hvid LG, Andersen LL, Jensen K, et al. Effects of resistance training cessation on cycling performance in well-trained cyclists: an exploratory study. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 2022; 36: 796–804.

[2] Röthlin P, Wyler M, Müller B, Zenger N, Kellenberger K, Wehrlin JP, et al. Body and mind? Exploring physiological and psychological factors to explain endurance performance in cycling. European Journal of Sport Science. 2023; 23: 101–108.

[3] Schumann M, Feuerbacher JF, Sünkeler M, Freitag N, Rønnestad BR, Doma K, et al. Compatibility of concurrent aerobic and strength training for skeletal muscle size and function: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine. 2022; 52: 601–612.

[4] Ozen G. Investigation of the influence of elite mountain cyclists’ physical and physiological characteristics on field performance parameters. 1st edn. Efeacademy Publishing: Istanbul. 2019.

[5] Sachet I, Brochner Nygaard NP, Guilhem G, Hug F, Dorel S. Strength capacity of lower-limb muscles in world-class cyclists: new insights into the limits of sprint cycling performance. Sports Biomechanics. 2023; 22: 536–553.

[6] Holliday W, Theo R, Fisher J, Swart J. Cycling: joint kinematics and muscle activity during differing intensities. Sports Biomechanics. 2023; 22: 660–674.

[7] Hurst HT, Swarén M, Hébert-Losıer K, Ericsson F, Sinclair J, Atkins S, et al. Influence of course type on upper body muscle activity in elite cross-country and downhill mountain bikers during off road downhill cycling. Journal of Science and Cycling. 2012; 1: 2–9.

[8] Rønnestad BR, Mujika I. Optimizing strength training for running and cycling endurance performance: a review. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine Science in Sports. 2014; 24: 603–612.

[9] Beattie K, Kenny IC, Lyons M, Carson BP. The effect of strength training on performance in endurance athletes. Sports Medicine. 2014; 44: 845–865.

[10] Berryman N, Mujika I, Arvisais D, Roubeix M, Binet C, Bosquet L. Strength training for middle- and long-distance performance: a meta-analysis. Internatonal Journal Sports Physiology Performance. 2018; 13: 57–63.

[11] Vikmoen O, Rønnestad BR. A comparison of the effect of strength training on cycling performance between men and women. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology. 2021; 6: 29.

[12] Bompa TO, Buzzichelli C. Periodization of strength training for sports. 4th edn. Human Kinetics Publisher: Champaign, IL. 2021.

[13] Giessing J, Eichmann B, Steele J, Fisher J. A comparison of low volume “high-intensity-training” and high volume traditional resistance training methods on muscular performance, body composition, and subjective assessments of training. Biology of Sport. 2016; 33: 241–249.

[14] Bastiaans JJ, Van Diemen AB, Veneberg T, Jeukendrup AE. The effects of replacing a portion of endurance training by explosive strength training on performance in trained cyclists. European Journal Applied Physiology. 2001; 86: 79–84.

[15] Psilander N, Frank P, Flockhart M, Sahlin K. Adding strength to endurance training does not enhance aerobic capacity in cyclists. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine Science in Sports. 2014; 25: e353–e359.

[16] Rønnestad BR, Hansen EA, Raastad T. Strength training improves 5-min all-out performance following 185 min of cycling. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine Science in Sports. 2011; 21: 250–259.

[17] Silva RA, Silva-Júnior FL, Pinheiro FA, Souza PF, Boullosa DA, Pires FO. Acute prior heavy strength exercise bouts improve the 20-km cycling time trial performance. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 2014; 28: 2513–2520.

[18] Aagaard P, Andersen JL, Bennekou M, Larsson B, Olesen JL, Crameri R, et al. Effects of resistance training on endurance capacity and muscle fiber composition in young top-level cyclists. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. 2011; 21: e298–e307.

[19] Antón MM, Izquierdo M, Ibanez J, Asiain X, Mendiguchía J, Gorostiaga EM. Flat and uphill climb time trial performance prediction in elite amateur cyclists. International Journal of Sports Medicine. 2007; 28: 306–313.

[20] Bentley DJ, McNaughton LR, Thompson D, Vleck VE, Batterham AM. Peak power output, the lactate threshold, and time trial performance in cyclists. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2001; 33: 2077–2081.

[21] Davison RC, Swan D, Coleman D, Bird S. Correlates of simulated hill climb cycling performance. Journal of Sports Sciences. 2000; 18: 105–110.

[22] Costa VP, Pertence LC, Paton CD, De Matos DG, Martins JAN, De Lima JRP. Physiological correlates of 10-km up-hill cycling performance in competitive cyclists. Journal of Exercise Physiology. 2011; 14: 26–33.

[23] Jeffries O, Waldron M, Patterson SD, Galna B. An analysis of variability in power output during indoor and outdoor cycling time trials. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. 2019; 14: 1273–1279.

[24] Blake OM, Wakeling JM. Muscle coordination during an outdoor cycling time trial. Medicine Science Sports Exercise. 2012; 44: 939–948.

[25] Pallares JG, Hernández-Belmonte A, Valenzuela PL, Muriel X, Mateo-March M, Barranco-Gil D, et al. Field-derived maximal power output in cycling: an accurate indicator of maximal performance capacity? International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. 2022; 17: 1558–1564.

[26] Nimmerichter A, Eston R, Bachl N, Williams C. Effects of low and high cadence interval training on power output in flat and uphill cycling time-trials. European Journal of Applied Physiology. 2012; 112: 69–78.

[27] Jobson SA, Nevill AM, Palmer GS, Jeukendrup AE, Doherty M, Atkinson G. The ecological validity of laboratory cycling: does body size explain the difference between laboratory- and field-based cycling performance? Journal of Sports Sciences. 2007; 25: 3–9.

[28] Chok S. Effects of 8 weeks core strength training on core muscle strength among young male cyclists. Malaysian Journal of Movement, Health & Exercise. 2020; 9: 9–16.

[29] Cesanelli L, Ammar A, Arede J, Calleja-González J, Leite N. Performance indicators and functional adaptive windows in competitive cyclists: effect of one-year strength and conditioning training programme. Biology of Sport. 2022; 39: 329–340.

[30] Støren Ø, Ulevåg K, Larsen MH, Støa EM, Helgerud J. Physiological determinants of the cycling time trial. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 2013; 27: 2366–2373.

[31] Leo P, Spragg J, Mujika I, Menz V, Lawley JS. Power profiling in U23 professional cyclists during a competitive season. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. 2021; 16: 881–889.

[32] Knechtle B. Relationship of anthropometric and training characteristics with race performance in endurance and ultra-endurance athletes. Asian Journal of Sports Medicine. 2014; 5: 73–90.

[33] Impellizzeri FM, Ebert T, Sassi A, Menaspa P, Rampinini E, Martin DT. Level ground and uphill cycling ability in elite female mountain bikers and road cyclists. European Journal Applied Physiology. 2008; 102: 335–341.

[34] Menaspà P, Rampinini E, Bosio A, Carlomagno D, Riggio M, Sassi A. Physiological and anthropometric characteristics of junior cyclists of different specialties and performance levels. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. 2012; 22: 392–398.

[35] Sánchez-Muñoz C, Mateo-March M, Muros JJ, Javaloyes A, Zabala M. Anthropometric characteristics according to the role performed by World Tour road cyclists for their team. European Journal of Sport Science. 2023; 23: 1821–1828.

[36] Sitko S, Cirer-Sastre R, López-Laval I. Time to exhaustion at estimated functional threshold power in road cyclists of different performance levels. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 2022; 25: 783–786.

[37] Lucia A, Esteve-Lanao J, Olivan J, Gomez-Gallego F, San Juan AF, Santiago C, et al. Physiological characteristics of the best Eritrean runners–exceptional running economy. Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism. 2006; 37: 1231–1236.

[38] Phillips KE, Hopkins WG. Determinants of cycling performance: a review of the dimensions and features regulating performance in elite cycling competitions. Sports Medicine. 2020; 6: 23.

[39] Knechtle B, Wirth A, Baumann B, Knechtle P, Rosemann T, Oliver S. Differential correlations between anthropometry, training volume, and performance in male and female Ironman triathletes. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 2010; 24: 2785–2793.

[40] Arriel RA, Graudo JA, Oliveira JLDD, Ribeiro GGS, Meireles A, Marocolo M. The relative peak power output of amateur mountain bikers is inversely correlated with body fat but not with fat-free mass. Motriz Journal of Physical Education. 2020; 26: e10200034.

[41] Boyraz OC, Kürkcü Akgönül E, Ozen G. Investigation of the relationship between anthropometric characteristics and muscular strength in elite Turkish mountain bikers. Human Sport Medicine. 2022; 22: 61–69.

[42] Sanders D, Taylor RJ, Myers T, Akubat I. A field-based cycling test to assess predictors of endurance performance and establishing training zones. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 2020; 34: 3482–3488.

[43] Kürkcü Akgönül E. Investigation of relationship between lower and upper extremity strength, flexibility and anthropometric values of well trained female road cyclists. Meditarrenean Journal of Sport Science. 2023; 6: 711–725. (In Turkish)