Paolo Menaspà

Superior Inhibitory Control and Resistance to Mental Fatigue in Professional Road Cyclists.

Purpose Given the important role of the brain in regulating endurance performance, this comparative study sought to determine whether professional road cyclists have superior inhibitory control and resistance to mental fatigue compared to recreational road cyclists. Methods After preliminary testing and familiarization, eleven professional and nine recreational road cyclists visited the lab on two occasions to complete a modified incongruent colour-word Stroop task (a cognitive task requiring inhibitory control) for 30 min (mental exertion condition), or an easy cognitive task for 10 min (control condition) in a randomized, counterbalanced cross-over order. After each cognitive task, participants completed a 20-min time trial on a cycle ergometer. During the time trial, heart rate, blood lactate concentration, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded. Results The professional cyclists completed more correct responses during the Stroop task than the recreational cyclists (705±68 vs 576±74, p = 0.001). During the time trial, the recreational cyclists produced a lower mean power output in the mental exertion condition compared to the control condition (216±33 vs 226±25 W, p = 0.014). There was no difference between conditions for the professional cyclists (323±42 vs 326±35 W, p = 0.502). Heart rate, blood lactate concentration, and RPE were not significantly different between the mental exertion and control conditions in both groups. Conclusion The professional cyclists exhibited superior performance during the Stroop task which is indicative of stronger inhibitory control than the recreational cyclists. The professional cyclists also displayed a greater resistance to the negative effects of mental fatigue as demonstrated by no significant differences in perception of effort and time trial performance between the mental exertion and control conditions. These findings suggest that inhibitory control and resistance to mental fatigue may contribute to successful road cycling performance. These psychobiological characteristics may be either genetic and/or developed through the training and lifestyle of professional road cyclists.

The cost of running on natural grass and artificial turf surfaces.

Sassi, A, Stefanescu, A, Menaspa, P, Bosio, A, Riggio, M, and Rampinini, E. The cost of running on natural grass and artificial turf surfaces. J Strength Cond Res 25(3): 606-611, 2011-The purpose of this study was to evaluate the metabolic cost of running (Cr) on natural grass (NG) and artificial turf (AT), compared with a hard surface (HS), that is, asphalted track. Eight amateur soccer players (mean ± SD: age 22.9 ± 2.3 years, body mass 69.0 ± 4.7 kg, and height 178 ± 5 cm) completed 9 runs (3 surfaces × 3 speeds, i.e., 2.22, 2.78, 3.33 m·s−1) of 6 minutes, in a random order on the different surfaces. Characteristics of the running surfaces were assessed at 3 points of each running track by measuring shock absorption and standard vertical deformation, via an ‘artificial athlete’ device according to FIFA protocol. No significant interactions (2-way ANOVA analysis; p = 0.38) were found between running surfaces and running speeds. A significant main effect for surface was found. The average Cr values were 4.02 ± 0.25 J·kg·L·m−1 on HS, 4.22 ± 0.35 J·kg·L·m−1 on NG, and 4.21 ± 0.31 J·kg·L·m−1 on AT. The Cr was also higher at 3.33 m·s−1 compared with the Cr measured at the other 2 running speeds. In conclusion, we found a Cr of ∼ 4.20 J·kg·L·m−1 on both natural and artificial grass football pitches, in accordance with similar percentage shock absorption characteristics of these 2 tested surfaces. Our finding allows a better computation of the Cr on NG and AT, and supports the exclusion of the Cr as a potential factor for the higher physical effort in matches played on artificial turf, as reported by soccer players.

Are rolling averages a good way to assess training load for injury prevention

I read the letter ‘Time to bin the term ‘overuse’ injury: is ‘training load error’ a more accurate term?’ with great interest.1 I agree with the authors that changes in training load (TL) could increase injury risk and I share their concern relating to periods of low/no loads. However, the terminology suggested by Drew and Purdam ‘errors in training load prescription’ may not be ideal. In fact, despite the potentially flawless TL prescription, some spikes in load may be due to variables that are out of control, such as variability in the demands of competitions,2 and cannot be avoided. Moreover, the term ‘error’ leads to …

Stage racing at altitude induces hemodilution despite an increase in hemoglobin mass

Plasma volume (PV) can be modulated by altitude exposure (decrease) and periods of intense exercise (increase). Cycle racing at altitude combines both stimuli, although presently no data exist to document which is dominant. Hemoglobin mass (Hbmass), hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]), and percent reticulocytes (%Retics) of altitude (ALT; n = 9) and sea-level (SL; n = 9) residents were measured during a 14-day cycling race, held at 1,146-4120 m, as well as during a simulated tour near sea level (SIM; n = 12). Hbmass was assessed before and on days 9 and 14 of racing. Venous blood was collected on days 0, 3, 6, 10, and 14. PV was calculated from Hbmass and [Hb]. A repeated-measures ANOVA was used to assess the impact of racing at altitude over time, within and between groups. [Hb] decreased significantly in all groups over time (P < 0.0001) with decreases evident on the third day of racing. %Retics increased significantly in SL only (P < 0.0001), with SL values elevated at day 6 compared with prerace (P = 0.02), but were suppressed by the end of the race (P = 0.0002). Hbmass significantly increased in SL after 9 (P = 0.0001) and 14 (P = 0.008) days of racing and was lower at the end of the race than midrace (P = 0.018). PV increased in all groups (P < 0.0001). Multiday cycle racing at altitude induces hemodilution of a similar magnitude to that observed during SL racing and occurs in nonacclimatized SL residents, despite an altitude-induced increase in Hbmass. Osmotic regulatory mechanisms associated with intense exercise appear to supersede acute enhancement of oxygen delivery at altitude.

Consistency of commercial devices for measuring elevation gain.

PURPOSE To determine the consistency of commercially available devices used for measuring elevation gain in outdoor activities and sports. METHODS Two separate observational validation studies were conducted. Garmin (Forerunner 310XT, Edge 500, Edge 750, and Edge 800; with and without elevation correction) and SRM (Power Control 7) devices were used to measure total elevation gain (TEG) over a 15.7-km mountain climb performed on 6 separate occasions (6 devices; study 1) and during a 138-km cycling event (164 devices; study 2). RESULTS TEG was significantly different between the Garmin and SRM devices (P < .05). The between-devices variability in TEG was lower when measured with the SRM than with the Garmin devices (study 1: 0.2% and 1.5%, respectively). The use of the Garmin elevation-correction option resulted in a 5-10% increase in the TEG. CONCLUSIONS While measurements of TEG were relatively consistent within each brand, the measurements differed between the SRM and Garmin devices by as much as 3%. Caution should be taken when comparing elevation-gain data recorded with different settings or with devices of different brands.

Impact of Altitude on Power Output during Cycling Stage Racing.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of moderate-high altitude on power output, cadence, speed and heart rate during a multi-day cycling tour. Methods Power output, heart rate, speed and cadence were collected from elite male road cyclists during maximal efforts of 5, 15, 30, 60, 240 and 600 s. The efforts were completed in a laboratory power-profile assessment, and spontaneously during a cycling race simulation near sea-level and an international cycling race at moderate-high altitude. Matched data from the laboratory power-profile and the highest maximal mean power output (MMP) and corresponding speed and heart rate recorded during the cycling race simulation and cycling race at moderate-high altitude were compared using paired t-tests. Additionally, all MMP and corresponding speeds and heart rates were binned per 1000m (<1000m, 1000–2000, 2000–3000 and >3000m) according to the average altitude of each ride. Mixed linear modelling was used to compare cycling performance data from each altitude bin. Results Power output was similar between the laboratory power-profile and the race simulation, however MMPs for 5–600 s and 15, 60, 240 and 600 s were lower (p ≤ 0.005) during the race at altitude compared with the laboratory power-profile and race simulation, respectively. Furthermore, peak power output and all MMPs were lower (≥ 11.7%, p ≤ 0.001) while racing >3000 m compared with rides completed near sea-level. However, speed associated with MMP 60 and 240 s was greater (p < 0.001) during racing at moderate-high altitude compared with the race simulation near sea-level. Conclusion A reduction in oxygen availability as altitude increases leads to attenuation of cycling power output during competition. Decrement in cycling power output at altitude does not seem to affect speed which tended to be greater at higher altitudes.

Physical Demands of Sprinting in Professional Road Cycling.

The aim of this study was to quantify the demands of road competitions ending with sprints in male professional cycling. 17 races finished with top-5 results from 6 male road professional cyclists (age, 27.0±3.8 years; height, 1.76±0.03 m; weight, 71.7±1.1 kg) were analysed. SRM power meters were used to monitor power output, cadence and speed. Data were averaged over the entire race, different durations prior to the sprint (60, 10, 5 and 1 min) and during the actual sprint. Variations in power during the final 10 min of the race were quantified using exposure variation analysis. This observational study was conducted in the field to maximize the ecological validity of the results. Power, cadence and speed were statistically different between various phases of the race (p<0.001), increasing from 316±43 W, 95±4 rpm and 50.5±3.3 km·h(-1) in the last 10 min, to 487±58 W, 102±6 rpm and 55.4±4.7 km·h(-1) in the last min prior to the sprint. Peak power during the sprint was 17.4±1.7 W·kg(-1). Exposure variation analysis revealed a significantly greater number of short-duration high-intensity efforts in the final 5 min of the race, compared with the penultimate 5 min (p=0.010). These findings quantify the power output requirements associated with high-level sprinting in mens professional road cycling and highlight the need for both aerobic and anaerobic fitness.

Effortless activity tracking with Google Fit

Platform Android (V.4.0 and above) Cost Free About the app Google Fit actively contributes to the evolution of physical activity tracking with over five million downloads in 6 months since its release. The application is a simple and effortless activity tracker that runs in the background of Android devices and automatically recognises and records physical activities such as walking, running and cycling. Users can set their own activity goal (ie, duration of activity or number of steps) and using a countdown they can see how far they are from achieving their daily goal. The app also presents an overview of daily …

Building evidence with flawed data? The importance of analysing valid data

In replying to a PostScript on the use of rolling averages,1 Drew and colleagues failed to respond to the main point of the letter. In fact, the original commentary raised concern on the specific mathematical model used for quantifying acute and chronic training load (TL), not on how TL can be subsequently analysed and interpreted. This could be of …

Within-Season Distribution of External Training and Racing Workload in Professional Male Road Cyclists

PURPOSE To describe the within-season external workloads of professional male road cyclists for optimal training prescription. METHODS Training and racing of 4 international competitive professional male cyclists (age 24 ± 2 y, body mass 77.6 ± 1.5 kg) were monitored for 12 mo before the world team-time-trial championships. Three within-season phases leading up to the team-time-trial world championships on September 20, 2015, were defined as phase 1 (Oct-Jan), phase 2 (Feb-May), and phase 3 (June-Sept). Distance and time were compared between training and racing days and over each of the various phases. Times spent in absolute (<100, 100-300, 400-500, >500 W) and relative (0-1.9, 2.0-4.9, 5.0-7.9, >8 W/kg) power zones were also compared for the whole season and between phases 1-3. RESULTS Total distance (3859 ± 959 vs 10911 ± 620 km) and time (240.5 ± 37.5 vs 337.5 ± 26 h) were lower (P < .01) in phase 1 than phase 2. Total distance decreased (P < .01) from phase 2 to phase 3 (10911 ± 620 vs 8411 ± 1399 km, respectively). Mean absolute (236 ± 12.1 vs 197 ± 3 W) and relative (3.1 ± 0 vs 2.5 ± 0 W/kg) power output were higher (P < .05) during racing than training, respectively. CONCLUSION Volume and intensity differed between training and racing over each of 3 distinct within-season phases.