title: Combined cycle and run performance is maximised when the cycle is completed at the highest sustainable intensity.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of cycle intensity on subsequent running performance and combined cycle-run (CR) performance. Seven triathletes undertook a cycling graded exercise test to exhaustion, an isolated 500-kJ cycle time trial (CTT) and an isolated 5-km running time trial. Then they performed a series of CR tests, at various cycle intensities, followed by an all-out, 5-km run. The CR tests were separated into four categories based on the percentage of the CTT at which the cycle was performed (CR 81-85%, CR 86-90%, CR 91-95%, and CR 96-100%). Running performance was slower during CR 96-100% compared to CR 81-85% and CR 86-90% (20:45 ± 1:19 vs. 19:56 ± 0:40 and 19:46 ± 0:49 min; P < 0.05), but not CR 91-95% (20:19 ± 1:08 min; P > 0.05). CR performance was maximised during CR 96-100% when compared to CR 81-85, CR 86-90 and CR 91-95% (56:37 ± 4:04 vs. 62:40 ± 5:30, 59:53 ± 4:41 and 58:29 ± 4:40 min; P < 0.05). The results suggest that combined cycle and run performance is maximised when the cycle is completed at the highest sustainable intensity.
authors.affiliation: School of Human Movement and Exercise Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Suriano
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bishop
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*