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aims of the present study were firstly to examine the reproducibility
of outdoor flat and uphill cycling time trials (TT), and secondly
to assess the relationship between peak power output (Wpeak)
obtained in the laboratory and outdoor cycling performance in moderately
trained cyclists. Eight competitive male cyclists first performed
a progressive cycle ergometer test in the laboratory to determine
Wpeak (W). Thereafter, they performed three 36 km TT (TT36)
on a flat course on separate days and at the same time of the day.
On a different day, they also performed three 1.4 km uphill TT (TT1.4)
in a single day. The coefficient of variation (CV) values across three
TT36 and TT1.4 ranged from 1.1 - 1.4% and 2.6
- 2.9%, for performance time (min) and mean power (W), respectively.
The correlation between absolute Wpeak (W) obtained in
the laboratory and mean power during TT36 and TT1.4
was 0.90 (p < 0.01) and 0.98 (p < 0.01), respectively. Absolute
Wpeak (W) correlated significantly with performance time
in TT36 (r = -0.72, p < 0.05) but not in TT1.4
(r = -0.52, p > 0.05). The correlation between relative Wpeak
(W·kg-1) and performance time in TT36 and TT1.4
was r = -0.65 (p > 0.05) and r = -0.91 (p < 0.01), respectively.
In conclusion, under stable environmental conditions, performance
time and mean power are highly reproducible in moderately trained
cyclists during outdoor cycling TT. Laboratory determined absolute
Wpeak (W) may predict cycling performance on a flat course
but relative Wpeak (W·kg-1) is a better predictor
of performance during uphill cycling.
KEY
WORDS: Field-based, reliability, performance time, mean power,
heart rate, PowerTap powermeter.
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