To obtain optimal training effects and avoid overtraining, it is necessary to monitor the intensi... more To obtain optimal training effects and avoid overtraining, it is necessary to monitor the intensity of training. In cycling, speed is not an accurate indicator of exercise intensity, and therefore alternatives have to be found to monitor exercise intensity during training and competition. Power output may be the most direct indicator, but heart rate is easier to monitor and measure. There are, however, limitations that have to be taken into account when using a heart rate monitor. For example, the position on the bicycle may change heart rate at a given exercise intensity. More important, however, is the increase in heart rate over time, a phenomenon described as 'cardiac drift'. Cardiac drift can change the heart rate-power output relationship drastically, especially in hot environments or at altitude. It is important to determine whether one is interested in monitoring exercise intensity per se or measuring whole-body stress. Power output may be a better indicator of the former and heart rate may, under many conditions, be a better indicator of the latter. Heart rate can be used to evaluate a cyclist after training or competition, or to determine the exercise intensity during training. Heart rate monitoring is very useful in the detection of early overtraining, especially in combination with lactate curves and questionnaires. During overtraining, maximal heart rates as well as submaximal heart rates may be decreased, while resting and, in particular, sleeping - heart rates may be increased.
The extensive use of performance tests in diet intervention studies mirrors the importance of suc... more The extensive use of performance tests in diet intervention studies mirrors the importance of such a measurement. Although many different endurance performance tests have been used in the past, the majority of these different protocols has never been validated. In this study reproducibility of three different endurance performance tests was evaluated. Thirty well-trained subjects were matched on age, weight, and Wmax and divided into three subgroups. Each group of subjects performed one of three exercise protocols: protocol (A) consisted of cycling at 75% Wmax until exhaustion. In (B) subjects received a preload of 45 min 70% Wmax and then performed as much work as possible in 15 min. (C) consisted of a time trial, in which subjects had to complete a preset amount of work as fast as possible. Each subject performed one of the trials six times. Coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated for each protocol. CV(A) was 26.6%, CV(B) 3.49%, and CV(C) 3.35%. It was concluded that reproducibility of a test at 75% Wmax until exhaustion is poor and these tests are not reliable. Time trial protocols may result in better performance evaluation.
The extensive use of performance tests in diet intervention studies mirrors the importance of suc... more The extensive use of performance tests in diet intervention studies mirrors the importance of such a measurement. Although many different endurance performance tests have been used in the past, the majority of these different protocols has never been validated. In this study reproducibility of three different endurance performance tests was evaluated. Thirty well-trained subjects were matched on age, weight, and Wmax and divided into three subgroups. Each group of subjects performed one of three exercise protocols: protocol (A) consisted of cycling at 75% Wmax until exhaustion. In (B) subjects received a preload of 45 min 70% Wmax and then performed as much work as possible in 15 min. (C) consisted of a time trial, in which subjects had to complete a preset amount of work as fast as possible. Each subject performed one of the trials six times. Coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated for each protocol. CV(A) was 26.6%, CV(B) 3.49%, and CV(C) 3.35%. It was concluded that reproducibility of a test at 75% Wmax until exhaustion is poor and these tests are not reliable. Time trial protocols may result in better performance evaluation.
To obtain optimal training effects and avoid overtraining, it is necessary to monitor the intensi... more To obtain optimal training effects and avoid overtraining, it is necessary to monitor the intensity of training. In cycling, speed is not an accurate indicator of exercise intensity, and therefore alternatives have to be found to monitor exercise intensity during training and competition. Power output may be the most direct indicator, but heart rate is easier to monitor and measure. There are, however, limitations that have to be taken into account when using a heart rate monitor. For example, the position on the bicycle may change heart rate at a given exercise intensity. More important, however, is the increase in heart rate over time, a phenomenon described as 'cardiac drift'. Cardiac drift can change the heart rate-power output relationship drastically, especially in hot environments or at altitude. It is important to determine whether one is interested in monitoring exercise intensity per se or measuring whole-body stress. Power output may be a better indicator of the former and heart rate may, under many conditions, be a better indicator of the latter. Heart rate can be used to evaluate a cyclist after training or competition, or to determine the exercise intensity during training. Heart rate monitoring is very useful in the detection of early overtraining, especially in combination with lactate curves and questionnaires. During overtraining, maximal heart rates as well as submaximal heart rates may be decreased, while resting and, in particular, sleeping - heart rates may be increased.
The extensive use of performance tests in diet intervention studies mirrors the importance of suc... more The extensive use of performance tests in diet intervention studies mirrors the importance of such a measurement. Although many different endurance performance tests have been used in the past, the majority of these different protocols has never been validated. In this study reproducibility of three different endurance performance tests was evaluated. Thirty well-trained subjects were matched on age, weight, and Wmax and divided into three subgroups. Each group of subjects performed one of three exercise protocols: protocol (A) consisted of cycling at 75% Wmax until exhaustion. In (B) subjects received a preload of 45 min 70% Wmax and then performed as much work as possible in 15 min. (C) consisted of a time trial, in which subjects had to complete a preset amount of work as fast as possible. Each subject performed one of the trials six times. Coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated for each protocol. CV(A) was 26.6%, CV(B) 3.49%, and CV(C) 3.35%. It was concluded that reproducibility of a test at 75% Wmax until exhaustion is poor and these tests are not reliable. Time trial protocols may result in better performance evaluation.
The extensive use of performance tests in diet intervention studies mirrors the importance of suc... more The extensive use of performance tests in diet intervention studies mirrors the importance of such a measurement. Although many different endurance performance tests have been used in the past, the majority of these different protocols has never been validated. In this study reproducibility of three different endurance performance tests was evaluated. Thirty well-trained subjects were matched on age, weight, and Wmax and divided into three subgroups. Each group of subjects performed one of three exercise protocols: protocol (A) consisted of cycling at 75% Wmax until exhaustion. In (B) subjects received a preload of 45 min 70% Wmax and then performed as much work as possible in 15 min. (C) consisted of a time trial, in which subjects had to complete a preset amount of work as fast as possible. Each subject performed one of the trials six times. Coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated for each protocol. CV(A) was 26.6%, CV(B) 3.49%, and CV(C) 3.35%. It was concluded that reproducibility of a test at 75% Wmax until exhaustion is poor and these tests are not reliable. Time trial protocols may result in better performance evaluation.
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