Power-duration relationship comparison in competition sprint cyclists from 1-s to 20-min. Sprint performance is more than just peak power

Abstract

Current convention place peak power as the main determinant of sprint cycling performance. This study challenges that notion and compares two common durations of sprint cycling performance with not only peak power, but power out to 20-min. There is also a belief where maximal efforts of longer durations will be detrimental to sprint cycling performance. 56 data sets from 27 cyclists (21 male, 6 female) provided maximal power for durations from 1-s to 20-min. Peak power values are compared to assess the strength of correlation (R2), and any relationship (slope) across every level. R2 between 15-s– 30-s power and durations from 1-s to 20-min remained high (R2 ≥ 0.83). Despite current assumptions around 1-s power, our data shows this relationship is stronger around competition durations, and 1-s power also still shared strong relationships with longer durations out to 20-min. Slopes for relationships at shorter durations were closer to a 1:1 relationship than longer durations, but closer to long-duration slopes than to a 1:1 line. The present analyses contradicts both well-accepted hypotheses that peak power is the main driver of sprint cycling performance and that maximal efforts of longer durations out to 20-min will hinder sprint cycling. This study shows the importance and potential of training durations from 1-s to 20-min over a preparation period to improve competition sprint cycling performance.

Performance Progression over a Three Months of Periodized Training for Track Cycling Sprinters

“…Figure 3 shows progressions for all 25 riders over the three months (12-weeks) towards a peak 30-s power, reflective of sprint performance over all events. Also plotted in Fig 3, is the slope line of best fit from Ferguson et al [9] for 30-s and 2-min power for sprint cyclists. All rider-specific trajectories of 30-s and 120-s power evolve around this line during the 3x4-week blocks.…”

“…While this study has focused on sprinters the same principles should apply to track endurance and road cycling. The same principles would apply, using race winning speed and power relative to each event, where these trade-offs are shown in [9], and are very similar for male and female riders [11]. A pursuit balancing speed to race 2-4 kilometres and the endurance required to race a qualifying heat, recover fast for a final, and have the fitness to withstand a large volume of training.…”

“…Currently, the study of sprint cycling revolves primarily around the generation of peak power and how this single value translates into peak speed [1]. While this approach is a fruitful area of research to understand one, easily measured component of performance, peak power shares less of a relationship with performance over sprint durations than actual performance metrics [9]. Hence, there is a gap in linking peak power and sprint performance, which might be closed by assessing the impact of training across a range of sprint performance durations.…”

“…From these data, performance modelling could identify the strongest relationships between training approaches and competition performance. Recently, we presented such a model (Figure 1) where the slope of the line of best fit for a group of sprint cyclists indicates the qualities riders should develop [9]. For athletes below the line in Figure 1, there is a need to train peak power, or towards the line, and for those above, the need to train for capacity, again towards the line.…”

A training goal-oriented categorization model of high-intensity interval training

“…As a side note, in various studies, P max derived from a Wingate or isokinetic sprint test (e.g., maximal lactate production rate test ( Hauser et al, 2014 )) is used as the main predictor of maximal sprint performance, which seems to be driven more by convenience than by empirical evidence ( Dorel, 2018 ; Douglas et al, 2021 ; Ferguson et al, 2023 ). Instead, using a track running or cycling sprint over a certain distance is considered a more ecological valid metric for maximal sprint performance ( Rumpf et al, 2016 ; Ferguson et al, 2023 ). Remarkably, it appears that SIT induces also comparable aerobic and metabolic adaptations like traditional endurance exercise ( Sloth et al, 2013 ).…”