Abstract

The aims of this study were to compare the physiological and anthropometric characteristics of successful mountain bikers and professional road cyclists and to re-examine the power-to-weight characteristics of internationally competitive mountain bikers. Internationally competitive cyclists (seven mountain bikers and seven road cyclists) completed the following tests: anthropometric measurements, an incremental cycle ergometer test and a 30 min laboratory time-trial. The mountain bikers were lighter (65.3 +/- 6.5 vs 74.7 +/- 3.8 kg, P = 0.01; mean +/- s ) and leaner than the road cyclists (sum of seven skinfolds: 33.9 +/- 5.7 vs 44.5 +/- 10.8 mm, P = 0.04). The mountain bikers produced higher power outputs relative to body mass at maximal exercise (6.3 +/- 0.5 vs 5.8 +/- 0.3 W/kg , P = 0.03), at the lactate threshold (5.2 +/- 0.6 vs 4.7 +/- 0.3 W/kg , P = 0.048) and during the 30 min time-trial (5.5 +/- 0.5 vs 4.9 +/- 0.3 W/kg , P = 0.02). Similarly, peak oxygen uptake relative to body mass was higher in the mountain bikers (78.3 +/- 4.4 vs 73.0 +/- 3.4 ((ml/kg)/min) , P = 0.03). The results indicate that high power-to-weight characteristics are important for success in mountain biking. The mountain bikers possessed similar anthropometric and physiological characteristics to previously studied road cycling uphill specialists. Verf.-Referat