What are The Physical Demands and Power Profile of Professional Men’s Cycling Races?
- Mark Turnbull
- Aug 31, 2024
- 2 min read
In their paper "The Physical Demands and Power Profile of Professional Men’s Cycling Races: An Updated Review," Dajo Sanders and Teun van Erp provide an in-depth analysis of the physical demands experienced by professional cyclists. The study's key findings offer valuable insights into the mean intensity, load characteristics, and specific power outputs required across various race types. These insights are not only relevant for understanding professional cycling but also offer practical takeaways for amateur cyclists aiming to improve their performance.
Key Findings
1. Mean Intensity and Load Characteristics:
- Flat Stages: These stages involve high power outputs over short durations. Professional cyclists produce their highest maximal mean power (MMP) over durations less than two minutes, highlighting the importance of anaerobic capacity in these stages.
- Mountain Stages: The intensity shifts here, with longer, sustained efforts at higher power outputs. The MMP over 20 minutes or more is significantly higher in mountain stages, emphasizing the role of aerobic endurance.
- Mixed and Semi-Mountainous Stages: These stages require a balance of both anaerobic bursts and sustained aerobic power, reflecting the need for versatility in a rider’s power profile.
2. Load Variability:
- The study shows that the load and intensity can vary greatly between different stages, with mountain stages generally imposing the highest overall physical demands on riders. The ability to manage high power outputs over extended periods is crucial for success in these stages.
Practical Takeaways for Amateur Cyclists
1. Train for Specific Race Types:
- If you're preparing for a flat race or time trial, focus on developing your anaerobic power with short, high-intensity intervals. Training sessions that mimic the demands of sprinting or attacking during a race can improve your performance in these scenarios.
- For hilly or mountainous events, prioritise building your aerobic endurance. Long, steady-state rides at a moderately high intensity will help you sustain the power needed to conquer climbs.
2. Balance Your Training:
- Mixed terrain races demand a well-rounded fitness profile. Incorporate both high-intensity intervals and longer endurance rides into your training routine to ensure you're prepared for all types of challenges on race day.
3. Recovery and Load Management:
- Professional cyclists manage immense loads, but recovery is key. Ensure you're not just focusing on the high-intensity work but also allowing for adequate recovery. This approach will help you adapt to training stresses and improve over time.
By applying the insights from Sanders and van Erp’s research, amateur cyclists can better tailor their training to the specific demands of their target events, leading to more effective preparation and improved race-day performance.
🌐 Sources
1. [pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov - The Physical Demands and Power Profile of Professional ...](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33271501/)
2. [researchgate.net - The Physical Demands and Power Profile of Professional ...](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346657543_The_Physical_Demands_and_Power_Profile_of_Professional_Men's_Cycling_Races_An_Updated_Review)
3. [cris.maastrichtuniversity.nl - The Physical Demands and Power Profile of Professional ...](https://cris.maastrichtuniversity.nl/en/publications/the-physical-demands-and-power-profile-of-professional-mens-cycli/fingerprints/?sortBy=alphabetically)
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