title: A reliable preloaded cycling time trial for use in conditions of significant thermal stress.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability of a 15-min time trial preloaded with 45 min of fixed-intensity cycling under laboratory conditions of thermal stress. Eight trained cyclists/triathletes (41 ± 10 years, VO2 peak: 69 ± 8 mL/kg/min, peak aerobic power: 391 ± 72 W) completed three trials (the first a familiarization) where they cycled at ∼ 55% VO2 peak for 45 min followed by a 15-min time trial (∼75% VO2 peak) under conditions of significant thermal stress (WBGT: 26.7 ± 0.8 °C, frontal convective airflow: 20 km/h). Seven days separated the trials, which were conducted at the same time of day following 24 h of exercise and dietary control. Reliability increased when a familiarization trial was performed, with the resulting coefficient of variation and intraclass correlation coefficient of the work completed during the 15-min time trial, 3.6% and 0.96, respectively. Therefore, these results demonstrate a high level of reliability for a 15-min cycling time trial following a 45-min preload when performed under laboratory conditions of significant thermal stress using trained cyclists/triathletes.
authors.affiliation: School of Sport and Exercise, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Che Jusoh
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Morton
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Stannard
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mündel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors; D016474:Weight-Bearing
keywords: Test-retest; cycling; heat stress; performance