Performance indicators and functional adaptive windows in competitive cyclists: effect of one-year strength and conditioning training programme

Leonardo Cesanelli; Achraf Ammar; Jorge Arede; Julio Calleja-González; Nuno Leite

doi:10.5114/biolsport.2022.105334

Performance indicators and functional adaptive windows in competitive cyclists: effect of one-year strength and conditioning training programme

Biol Sport. 2022 Mar;39(2):329-340. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2022.105334. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

Authors

Leonardo Cesanelli¹, Achraf Ammar^{2

3}, Jorge Arede⁴, Julio Calleja-González⁵, Nuno Leite^{4

6}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychological, Pedagogical and Educational Sciences, Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, University of Palermo, Palermo I-90128, Italy.
² Institute of Sport Science, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39106, Magdeburg, Germany.
³ Interdisciplinary Laboratory in Neurosciences, Physiology and Psychology: Physical Activity, Health and Learning (LINP2), UFR STAPS, UPL, Paris Nanterre University, Nanterre, France.
⁴ Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, CreativeLab Research Community, Vila Real, Portugal.
⁵ Department of Physical Education and Sport- Faculty of Education-Sport Section. University of Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 01007, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
⁶ Dep. of Sports Sciences, Exercise and Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.

Abstract

Changes and relationships between cycling performance indicators following a one-year strength and conditioning training have not been totally clarified. The aims of this study are to investigate (i) the effect of a combined one-year strength and conditioning training programme on performance indicators and the possible relationships between these indicators, and (ii) the existence of possible endurance-functional-adaptive windows (EFAWs) linked to changes in muscular strength and body composition markers. Functional and lactate threshold power (FTP and LTP), maximal strength (1RM) and body composition (body mass index [BMI], body cell mass [BCM] and phase angle [PA]) were measured at the beginning and the end of a one-year strength and conditioning training programme of thirty cyclists. Correlations, differences, and predictive analysis were performed among parameters. Significant differences were found between pre- and post-conditioning programme results for FTP, LTP, 1RM (p < 0.0001) and BCM (p = 0.038). When expressed as power output (W), FTP and LTP were significantly correlated with 1RM (r = 0.36, p = 0.005 and r = 0.37, p = 0.004, respectively), body mass (r = 0.30 and p = 0.02), BCM (r = 0.68, p < 0.001) and PA (r = 0.42 and 0.39, respectively and p < 0.001). When expressed as W·kg-¹, these power thresholds were strongly correlated with body mass (r = -0.56 and -0.61, respectively) and BMI (r = -0.57 and -0.61 respectively) with p < 0.001. Predictive polynomial regressions revealed possible endurance and strength adaptation zones. The present findings indicated beneficial impacts of one-year strength and conditioning training on cycling performance indicators, confirmed the correlation between performance indicators, and suggested the existence of different EFAWs. Strategies aiming to improve performance should consider cyclist characteristics and performance goals to achieve EFAWs and thereby enhance cycling performance.

Keywords: Cycling performance; Endurance; Functional power; Performance analysis; Strength.