Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
The Tropical climate imposes a high level of physiological stress, which could modify the target heart rate in training load prescription, as the recommendations are often determined by maximal oxygen uptake testing in temperature-neutral laboratories. To test this hypothesis, 7 highlevel cyclists performed two randomised maximal tests in neutral (19.2±0.9 ◦C; 51.7±1.3% RH) and Tropical environment (25.8±1.1 ◦C; 63.7±2.3% RH). Neither maximal oxygen uptake nor ventilatory threshold was influenced by the environmental conditions. However, ventilation (p < 0.005) and the respiratory equivalent in O2 (p < 0.05) were significantly higher in the Tropical environment, whereas maximal power output and the time to attain maximal oxygen uptake were significantly lower (p < 0.05 for both). Moreover, the ventilatory cost of cycling (expressed in LW−1) was significantly greater in the Tropical condition (0.40±0.03 LW−1 vs. 0.32±0.05 LW−1, in Tropical vs. Neutral; condition effect: p < 0.005; condition×time: p < 0.001). Rectal temperature was influenced by neither the environmental conditions nor exercise (36.7±0.1 and 37.0±0.1 ◦Cvs. 36.8±0.1 and 37.1±0.2 ◦C, in Tropical vs. Neutral, before and after exercise) but was influenced by condition×time (p < 0.05). The heart rate (HR) values usually used for training prescription were not significantly different (154±5 bpm vs. 156±4 bpm and 172±4 bpm vs. 167±4 bpm in Tropical vs. Neutral climate, for the first and second thresholds, respectively). We concluded that the usual parameters measured during maximal exercise to establish training programs are not impaired in moderate Tropical environment. Nevertheless, the thermal stress attested by the increased ventilatory cost of cycling could have prevented the cyclists from performing a true maximal test in Tropical conditions.
ISSN: 1440-2440

hal-00703461
https://hal.univ-antilles.fr/hal-00703461
DOI : 10.1016/j.jsams.2009.11.004

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
Seven male subjects volunteered to participate in an investigation of whether the diurnalincrease in core temperature influences the effects of pre-cooling or passivewarm-up on muscular power. Morning (07:00-09:00 h) and afternoon (17:00-19:00 h) evaluation of maximal power output during a cycling sprint was performed on different days in a control condition (room at 21.8 °C, 69% rh), after 30 min of pre-cooling in a cold bath (16 °C), or after 30 min of passivewarm-up in a hot bath (38 °C). Despite an equivalent increase from morning to afternoon in core temperature in all conditions (+0.4 °C, P < 0.05), power output displayed a diurnalincrease in control condition only. A local cooling or heating of the leg in a neutral environment blunted the diurnal variation in muscular power. Because pre-cooling decreases muscle power, force and velocity irrespective of time-of-day, athletes should strictly avoid any cooling before a sprint exercise. In summary, diurnal variation in muscle power output seems to be more influenced by muscle rather than core temperature.
ISSN: 1440-2440

hal-00706159
https://hal.univ-antilles.fr/hal-00706159
DOI : 10.1016/j.jsams.2007.09.008

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
This study compared the conventional parameters of anaerobic cycling power in physically active non-cyclists using the Pro-Race® system and a traditional chainring. The force--velocity test was chosen for this purpose because it is the shortest validated cycling laboratory test in which each parameter of maximal anaerobic power can be estimated. The power output (Wmax) and the force at whichWmax is produced (Fopt) were significantly improved with the eccentric chainring (1100±227W versus 1006±197W and 1.39±0.15 N/kg body mass versus 1.13±0.16 N/kg body mass with the eccentric and round designs, respectively; P < 0.006 and P < 0.0004, respectively). The power gained (delta power) was significantly correlated with the eccentric chainring Fopt (r = 0.649; P < 0.05), the mid-thigh circumference (r = 0.685; P < 0.05), the estimated lean thigh volume (r = 0.765; P < 0.01) and the estimated lean lower limb volume (r = 0.665; P < 0.05). We concluded that the eccentric chainring significantly improved the estimated anaerobic power output during a force--velocity test by increasing the force component, Fopt. Cautious interpretation of our results suggests that the subjects with physical attributes that contribute to developing high forces may have a significant advantage in performing with the eccentric chainring.
ISSN: 1440-2440

hal-00703458
https://hal.univ-antilles.fr/hal-00703458
DOI : 10.1016/j.jsams.2007.06.004

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Wiley
Résumé : International audience
In order to study the effect of a competitive triathlon season on maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), aerobic power (AeP) and anaerobic performance (AnP) of the lower limbs, eight triathletes performed exercise tests after: (1) a pre-competition period (Pre-COMP) (2) a competitive period (COMP), and (3) a low (volume and intensity) training period (Post-COMP). The tests were a vertical jump-and-reach test and an incremental exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Ventilatory data were collected every minute during the incremental test with an automated breath-by-breath system and the heart-rate was monitored using a telemetric system. RESULTS: No changes in VO2max were observed, whereas AeP decreased after Post-COMP compared to Pre-COMP and COMP and AnP decreased during COMP compared to Pre-COMP and Post-COMP. In addition, second ventilatory threshold (VT2) and power output at first ventilatory threshold (VT1) and VT2 decreased after Post-COMP. CONCLUSION: This study showed that six weeks of low volume and intensity of training is too long a period to preserve adaptations to training, although a stable maximal oxygen uptake throughout the triathlon season was observed. Moreover, the AnP decrease during COMP was probably in relation with the repetitive nature of the training mode and/or triathlon competitions.
ISSN: 0905-7188

hal-00720811
https://hal.univ-antilles.fr/hal-00720811
https://hal.univ-antilles.fr/hal-00720811/document
https://hal.univ-antilles.fr/hal-00720811/file/Sms-10170.pdf

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : International audience
The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of both noncircular (ROT) and conventional (CON) chainring systems on aerobic and anaerobic cycling performances of professional cyclists, while analyzing the influence of varying the crank angle of maximum crank arm length of ROT. Fifteen professional road cyclists performed both incremental and sub-maximal aerobic tests and the Wingate anaerobic test in the laboratory. There were no statistical differences between CON and ROT in the aerobic tests, even when the best ROT position (ROT?) was selected. However, in the anaerobic test, maximal (4.2-9.1%) and mean (0.7-4.7%) power outputs were higher in ROT (P0.05). These differences were greater when the ROT? was selected (11.2 and 7.0%, respectively). Our findings suggest that ROT is able to improve anaerobic but not aerobic cycling performance in professional cyclists. Nevertheless, it must be adapted to each cyclist to ensure these improvements.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY

hal-00701238
https://hal.univ-antilles.fr/hal-00701238
https://hal.univ-antilles.fr/hal-00701238/document
https://hal.univ-antilles.fr/hal-00701238/file/Rodriguez-Marroyo-Hue_O.pdf
DOI : 10.1007/s00421-009-0993-x