Caracterização fisiológica do ciclista de estrada português da formação até à elite

Abstract

AIM: The aim of the present study was to characterize the physiological profile of the Portuguese cyclist from base to the professional level and compare with the international elite. METHODS: 23 cyclists performed a continuous and graded maximal protocol regime, in which were achieved the maximum aerobic power, maximum oxygen uptake and anaerobic ventilatory threshold. Subcutaneous folds, muscle perimeters, height and body mass were previously measured. RESULTS: Body mass and height increased according to the increase in the category: cadets (59.3±7.6 kg / 174±7.7 cm), juniors (63.7±1.5 kg / 175±2.9 cm) and elites (67.8±3.8 kg / 176±5.0 cm). The fat mass varied inversely with body mass and height along the age groups and is adequate for the profile of a road cyclist: cadets (10.4±1.3% MG), juniors (9.4±1.3% MG) and elites (7.5±1.5 % MG). The maximum power reached was 362.5±23.9 W, 385.7±44.0 W, 430±30 W, in cadets, juniors and elites respectively. The relative VO2max in cadets was 62.8±5.5 ml/kg/min, in juniors 60.9±5.4 ml/kg /min and elites 67.6±4.6 ml/kg /min. The anaerobic ventilatory threshold occurred in cadets, juniors and elites at 79.1±6.3%, 82.7±5.7% and 82.1±3.9% of the VO2max, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Anthropometrically the sample is adjusted to the data collected in the literature, namely in %MG; the values of maximum aerobic power and VO2max are clearly lower than the ones collected for the international cycling elite; the cadets have relative higher values of the maximum aerobic power and VO2max than the juniors contrary to the expectations; positive values of the %VO2máx at the anaerobic ventilatory threshold were achieved according to the international elite.