Aerobic and Anaerobic Characteristics of Competitive Junior Cyclists

The purpose of this study was to investigate the aerobic and anaerobic characteristics of male, competitive junior cyclists. Ten, male competitive cyclists (15.1 ± 1.1 years old) from Central and East Tennessee volunteered to perform a maximal aerobic power (VO2max), Wingate anaerobic power, and lactate threshold (LT) tests. The cyclists were 167.1 ± 6.6 centimeters (cm) tall, had 53.9 ± 7.7 kilograms (kg) of body mass, and had 14.0 ± 4.9 % body fat. They had 1.8 ± 1.1 years of cycling and racing experience. The VO2max of these cyclists was 53.3 ± 6.6 ml . kg-1 . min-1 (2.9 ± 0.6 L . min-1). During an anaerobic power test, the cyclists reached a peak power output (PO) of 640.7 ± 179.8 Watts (W) (11.8 ± 2.5 W . kg-1), had a mean PO of 475 ± 101.8 W (8.8 ± 1.2 W . kg-1). The junior cyclists fatigued at a rate of 10.6 ± 6.4 W . second-1 and had a fatigue index of 47.4 ± 16.5 %. The LT of this group occurred at 188 ± 56.7 W or 62.3 ± 8.1 % of VO2max. Relative VO2max was significantly correlated to absolute VO2max (r = 0.792, p \u3c 0.01), PO at LT (r = 0.790, p \u3c 0.01), and mean anaerobic PO (r = 0.646, p \u3c 0.05). Absolute VO2maxwas significantly correlated to PO at LT (r = 0.938, p \u3c 0.01). PO at LT is correlated to mean anaerobic PO (r = 0.701, p \u3c 0.05). Peak anaerobic PO and mean anaerobic PO are correlated (r = 0.698, p \u3c 0.05). Peak anaerobic PO is correlated to fatigue index (r = 0.706, p \u3c 0.05). Junior cyclists generally rank lower than USCF adult cyclists, as a group. Tracking the physiological characteristics investigated in this study may tell coaches and junior riders when they are ready to compete against adult riders