Variability in power output during cycling in international Olympic-distance triathlon.
OBJECTIVE
The patterns of power output in the ~1-h cycle section of Olympic-distance triathlon races are not well documented. Here the authors establish a typical cycling-race profile derived from several International Triathlon Union elite-level drafting-legal triathlon races.


METHODS
The authors collated 12 different race power profiles from elite male triathletes (N = 5, age 25 ± 5 y, body mass 65.5 ± 5.6 kg; mean ± SD) during 7 international races. Power output was recorded using SRM cranks and analyzed with proprietary software.


RESULTS
The mean power output was 252 ± 33 W, or 3.9 ± 0.5 W/kg in relative terms, with a coefficient of variation of 71% ± 13%. Normalized power (power output an athlete could sustain if intensity were maintained constant without any variability) for the entire cycle section was 291 ± 29 W, or 40 ± 13 W higher than the actual mean power output. There were 34 ± 14 peaks of power output above 600 W and ~18% time spent at >100% of maximal aerobic power.


CONCLUSIONS
Cycling during Olympic-distance triathlon, characterized by frequent and large power variations including repeat supramaximal efforts, equates to a higher workload than cycling at constant power.
University of Canberra Research Institute of Sport and Exercise, Faculty of Health, Sport and Exercise Science, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
Naroa
N
Etxebarria
Shaun
S
D'Auria
Judith M
JM
Anson
David B
DB
Pyne
Richard A
RA
Ferguson
D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance; D012420:Running; D013550:Swimming; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult