title: Strength training improves cycling performance, fractional utilization of VO2max and cycling economy in female cyclists.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of adding heavy strength training to well-trained female cyclists' normal endurance training on cycling performance. Nineteen female cyclists were randomly assigned to 11 weeks of either normal endurance training combined with heavy strength training (E+S, n = 11) or to normal endurance training only (E, n = 8). E+S increased one repetition maximum in one-legged leg press and quadriceps muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) more than E (P < 0.05), and improved mean power output in a 40-min all-out trial, fractional utilization of VO2 max and cycling economy (P < 0.05). The proportion of type IIAX-IIX muscle fibers in m. vastus lateralis was reduced in E+S with a concomitant increase in type IIA fibers (P < 0.05). No changes occurred in E. The individual changes in performance during the 40-min all-out trial was correlated with both change in IIAX-IIX fiber proportion (r = -0.63) and change in muscle CSA (r = 0.73). In conclusion, adding heavy strength training improved cycling performance, increased fractional utilization of VO2 max , and improved cycling economy. The main mechanisms behind these improvements seemed to be increased quadriceps muscle CSA and fiber type shifts from type IIAX-IIX toward type IIA.
authors.affiliation: Section of Sports Sciences, Lillehammer University College, Lillehammer, Norway.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Vikmoen
authors.affiliation: Section of Sports Sciences, Lillehammer University College, Lillehammer, Norway.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ellefsen
authors.affiliation: Section of Sports Sciences, Lillehammer University College, Lillehammer, Norway.
authors.forename: Ø
authors.initials: Ø
authors.lastname: Trøen
authors.affiliation: Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Lillehammer, Norway.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hollan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Lillehammer, Norway.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hanestadhaugen
authors.affiliation: Deparment of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sports Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Raastad
authors.affiliation: Section of Sports Sciences, Lillehammer University College, Lillehammer, Norway.
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Rønnestad
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000502:physiology; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019344:Lactic Acid
keywords: Concurrent training; aerobic power; cycling performance; muscle fiber type composition; work economy