Laboratory Tests For Cyclists

Strength training for a cyclist is directly related to his levels of performance. He needs to be given proper training in order to become professional cyclist. Cycling is a part of aerobic activity.

Road cycling is an enduring sport that demands a lot of aerobic activity from a potential road cyclist. The physiological and mechanical variables are tested. This is revealed by the high oxygen uptake and power output values shown by professional cyclists both at maximal and sub-maximal exercise intensities.

A research conducted in Australia showed the importance of strength training for cyclists. A hack squat apparatus for weight lifting was used in a set of people. This was done four times in three sessions per week. During this time they did not do cycling. Cycling endurance tests were given before and after. The cyclists gained efficiency during these tests. The amount of energy used to perform an amount of work is efficiency. The strength training however did not improve the aerobic capacity.

Strength training aims to measure sports performance, assess sports specific components and identify the athletic strengths. Accordingly training could be carried out and special rehabilitation courses could be developed fro the athletes. The tests have to be reliable and valid. Standard protocols to test the athletes should be set. The tests should be repeated at frequent intervals to determine the effectiveness. These tests can be beneficial to both athletes and coaches when conducted on frequent basis.

The performance of a road cyclist can be evaluated by determining the physiological and mechanical variables. The various parameters involved are maximal oxygen uptake(VO2 max), lactate threshold(LT), onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA), maximal power output and mechanical efficiency. These can be measured either in a laboratory using a cycling ergometer or on a bicycle in a velodrome.

Professional road cyclists prefer sport specific field tests performed with their familiar equipment. But laboratory tests done with the help of cycle ergometers show valid results in evaluating a cyclist's physiological and mechanical variables.

There is no doubt that absolute performance measures of a road cyclist such as maximal power output, VO2max, can indicate a cyclist's potential. But these measures can be more accurately obtained in a laboratory. Here physiological and mechanical variables are expressed relative to his anthropometric characteristics (body weight, height, composition, surface area). These parameters influence the performance of a road cyclist. Therefore, laboratory test is detrimental for a road cyclist.