The Physiological Profile of a Multiple Tour de France Winning Cyclist
| Autor: | Matthew Furber, Phillip G. Bell, Ken A. van Someren, Ana Anton-Solanas, Jeroen Swart |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2017 |
| Předmět: |
Adult
Male Competitive Behavior Hot Temperature Tour de france Sweating Physical Therapy Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation 030204 cardiovascular system & hematology Biology Body fat percentage 03 medical and health sciences Oxygen Consumption 0302 clinical medicine Animal science Bone Density Heart Rate Heart rate Humans Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Lactic Acid Core (anatomy) Skin temperature Humidity 030229 sport sciences Bicycling Physical Fitness Body Composition Physical Endurance Lean body mass France Cycling Hot and humid |
| Zdroj: | Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 49:115-123 |
| ISSN: | 0195-9131 |
| Popis: | INTRODUCTION:\ud This case study reports a range of physiological characteristics in a two-time Tour de France champion.\ud \ud METHODS:\ud After body composition assessment (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), two submaximal cycling step tests were performed in ambient (20°C, 40%) and hot and humid (30°C, 60% [HH]) conditions from which measures of gross efficiency (GE), lactate-power landmarks, and heart rate responses were calculated. In addition, thermoregulatory and sweat responses were collected throughout. V˙O2peak and peak power output (PPO) were also identified after a separate ramp test to exhaustion.\ud \ud RESULTS:\ud V˙O2peak and PPO were 5.91 L·min (84 mL·kg·min) and 525 W, respectively, whereas mean GE values were 23.0% and 23.6% for ambient and HH conditions, respectively. In addition to superior GE, power output at 4 mmol·L lactate was higher in HH versus ambient conditions (429.6 vs 419.0 W) supporting anecdotal reports from the participant of good performance in the heat. Peak core and skin temperature, sweat rate, and electrolyte content were higher in HH conditions. Body fat percentage was 9.5%, whereas total fat mass, lean mass, and bone mineral content were 6.7, 61.5, and 2.8 kg, respectively.\ud \ud CONCLUSION:\ud The aerobic physiology and PPO values indentified are among the highest reported for professional road cyclists. Notably, the participant displayed both a high V˙O2peak and GE, which is uncommon among elite cyclists and may be a contributing factor to their success in elite cycling. In addition, performance in HH conditions was strong, suggesting effective thermoregulatory physiology. In summary, this is the first study to report physiological characteristics of a multiple Tour de France champion in close to peak condition and suggests what may be the prerequisite physiological and thermoregulatory capacities for success at this level. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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