The Effects of a 90-km Outdoor Cycling Ride on Performance Outcomes Derived from Ramp-Incremental and 3-Minute All-Out Tests

Michael Bitel, Daniel A. Keir, Kevin Grossman, Mikaela Barnes, Juan M. Murias, Glen R. Belfry*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Bitel, M, Keir, DA, Grossman, K, Barnes, M, Murias, JM, and Belfry, GR. The effects of a 90-km outdoor cycling ride on performance outcomes derived from ramp-incremental and 3-minute all-out tests. J Strength Cond Res 38(3): 540-548, 2024 - The purpose of this study was to determine whether laboratory-derived exercise intensity and performance demarcations are altered after prolonged outdoor cycling. Male recreational cyclists (n = 10; RIDE) performed an exhaustive ramp-incremental test (RAMP) and a 3-minute all-out test (3MT) on a cycle ergometer before and after a 90-km cycling ride. RAMP-derived maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), gas exchange threshold (GET), respiratory compensation point (RCP), and associated power output (PO), as well as 3MT-derived critical power (CP) and work performed above CP, were compared before and after ∼3 hours of outdoor cycling. Six active men served as "no-exercise" healthy controls (CON), who, instead, rested for 3 hours between repeated RAMP and 3MT tests. During the 90-km ride, the duration within the moderate-intensity, heavy-intensity, and severe-intensity domains was 59 ± 24%, 40 ± 24%, and 1 ± 1%, respectively. Compared with pre-90 km, post-RAMP exhibited reductions in (a) VO2max(4.04 ± 0.48 vs. 3.80 ± 0.38 L·min-1; p = 0.026) and associated PO (392 ± 30 W vs. 357 ± 26 W; p = 0.002); (b) the VO2and PO at RCP (3.49 ± 0.46 vs. 3.34 ± 0.43 L·min-1; p = 0.040 and 312 ± 40 W vs. 292 ± 24 W; p = 0.023); and (c) the PO (214 ± 32 W vs. 198 ± 25 W; p = 0.027), but not the VO2at GET (2.52 ± 0.44 vs. 2.44 ± 0.38 L·min-1; p = 0.388). Pre-90 km vs. post-90 km 3MT variables showed reduced W′ (9.8 ± 3.4 vs. 6.8 ± 2.6 kJ; p = 0.002) and unchanged CP (304 ± 26 W and 297 ± 34 W; p = 0.275). In the CON group, there were no differences in VO2max, GET, RCP, W′, CP, or associated power outputs (p > 0.05) pre-to-post 3 hours of rest. The preservation of critical power demonstrates that longer-duration maximal efforts may be sustained after long-duration cycle. However, shorter sprints and higher-intensity efforts eliciting VO2maxwill exhibit decreased PO after 3 hours of a predominantly moderate-intensity cycle.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)540-548
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Strength and Conditioning Research
Volume38
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2024
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • VO
  • anaerobic capacity
  • cycling on the open road
  • long-duration exercise
  • peak power

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