Determination of Maximal Aerobic Power on the field in cycling

In cycling, the maximal aerobic power (MAP) is an important parameter for the coaches in the training process and the monitoring of the cyclist’s aerobic potential. However, there is no common procedure that would determine the MAP since it is dependent on the test protocol in laboratory and field. The purpose of this study was to propose a methodology from field data to determine both a field MAP, the time that MAP can be sustained (TMAP) and an aerobic endurance index (AEI) in professional and elite cyclists. Twenty-eight cyclists trained and raced with mobile power meter devices fixed to their bikes during two consecutive seasons. The Record Power Profile (RPP) of each cyclist was determined from the maximal power output realised by the cyclists (i.e. record PO) on different durations between 1 second and 4 hours. The method of MAP determination was to define the upper limit of the aerobic metabolism from the relationship between the record PO (from 3 min to 4 h) and the logarithm of time. From this method, the average values of MAP and TMAP were 456 ± 42 W (6.87 ± 0.5 W.kg -1 ) (95%CI = 439 473 W) and 4.13 ± 0.7 min (95%CI = 3.84 4.42 min), respectively. All the AEI were ranged between -8.34 and -11.33 (mean AEI = 9.53 ± 0.7, 95%CI = -9.24 / -9.82). The most important finding of this study is the possible determination of MAP, TMAP and AEI on the field from the RPP. Compared to the elite cyclists, the professionals presented a higher MAP (+9.9%, p<0.05) and shorter TMAP (-13.5%, p<0.05) with no difference in AEI. Several practical applications of this field method may be relevant and suitable for the coaches in the training monitoring of their cyclists.