Monitoring training load and training intensity distribution of amateur Cape Epic mountain bike cyclists

Date
2017-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT : The aim of this cross-sectional descriptive study was to compare different training load (TL) methods and identify the distribution of the training load during the preparation phase and the Cape Epic MTB race. Secondary, the study aimed to determine how TL distribution influence the performance (race time). Nine amateur male MTB cyclists (mean ± SD: age 40.0 ± 8 y, height 179.4 ± 8.4 cm, body mass 79.1 ± 10.2 kg) and two women (age 41 and 58 y, height 158.6 and 166 cm, body mass 60 and 58.3 kg) volunteered to participate in a 13-week (December – March) preparation period before taking part in the 2017 Cape Epic MTBrace. Before the preparation phase, participants completed a maximal aerobic cycling test in the laboratory to determine three work intensity zones based on heart rate (HR) and corresponding to blood lactate thresholds. Internal training load was calculated using Banister’s training impulse (bTRIMP), individualized TRIMP (iTRIMP) and session Rate of Perceived exertion (sRPE). Riders were tracked and monitored throughout the training period using an online training diary (TrainingPeaks®, Boulder, United States). No training prescription was provided to the participants - they followed their own training plan, or a plan provided by their coach. Strong correlations were observed between the different TL measuring tools for the preparation phase (iTRIMP vs bTRIMP: r = 0.72, P = 0.02; iTRIMP vs sRPE: r = 0.86, P ˂ 0.01 and bTRIMP vs sRPE: r = 0.72, p ˂ 0.01). TL measures for the Cape Epic race yielded even stronger correlations (iTRIMP vs bTRIMP: r = 0.90, P ˂ 0.01, iTRIMP vs sRPE: r = 0.79, P ˂ 0.01 and bTRIMP vs sRPE: r = 0.94, P ˂ 0.01). Moderate correlations were found between the HRbased methods and total race time iTRIMP (r = -0.56, P = 0.85 and bTRIMP: r = -0.53, P = 0.09) and a weak correlation for sRPE and total race time (r = -0.41, P = 0.20). A statistically significant correlation was found between race time and iTRIMP scores during the race (r = -0.78, P ˂ 0.01), compared to a moderate correlation for bTRIMP during the race and total race time (r = -0.58, P = 0.08) and a weak correlation for sRPE during the race and race time (r = -0.36, P = 0.31). With the time-in-zone method, the TID for the preparation phase in Zone 1, 2 and 3 were 58%, 27% and 15%, and for the Cape Epic race it was 42%, 41% and 17% in zone 1, 2 and 3, respectively. In conclusion, the iTRIMP method is a useful indicator of internal training load in MTB cyclists, and correlates well with previously used internal measures such as sRPE and Banister’s TRIMP. In future, studies should investigate the use of power meters, in cycling especially, because of its instantaneous results and accuracy. Amateur MTB cyclists follows a pyramidal training pattern during the training phase that is in line with higher competitive level cyclists, and result in adequate preparation for the successful completion of the race.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Die doel van hierdie dwarssnit beskrywende studie was om die verskillende metingsmetodes van interne oefenlading te vergelyk en die oefenlading-verspreiding tydens die voorbereidingsfase en die Cape Epic bergfietswedren te beskryf. Tweedens was die studie daarop gemik om te bepaal hoe die oefenlading-verspreiding prestasie beïnvloed. Nege amateur bergfietsryers (gemiddelde ± standaard afwyking: ouderdom 40.0 ± 8 jaar, lengte 179.4 ± 8.4 cm, liggaamsmassa 79.1 ± 10.2 kg) en twee vroue (41 en 58 jaar oud, lengte 158.6 en 166 cm, liggaamsmassa 60.0 en 58.3 kg) het vrywillig aan die studie deelgeneem was 'n voorbereidingsperiode van 13 weke (Desember tot Maart)en die 2017 Cape Epic bergfietswedren ingesluit het. Voor die voorbereidingsfase het die deelnemers 'n maksimale aërobiese oefentoets in die laboratorium voltooi om drie intensiteit-sones te bepaal wat gebaseer is op die harttempo (HT) by verskillende laktaatdraaipunte. Interne oefenlading is bereken deur Banister se TRIMP (TRIMP en bTRIMP), geïndividualiseerde TRIMP (iTRIMP) en sessie meting van waargenome inspanningsvlak (sRPE). Die deelnemers se oefenprogram gedurende die voorbereidingstyd is met behulp van 'n aanlyn-oefenkalender (TrainingPeaks, Boulder, Verenigde State van Amerika) gemonitor. Geen oefenvoorskrifte is aan die deelnemers voorsien nie; hulle het hul eie oefenplan gevolg, of 'n plan wat deur hul afrigter verskaf is. Sterk korrelasies tussen die verskillende oefenladingmetodes vir die voorbereidingsfase is waargeneem (iTRIMP vs bTRIMP: r = 0.72, P = 0.02; iTRIMP vs sRPE: r = 0.86, P ˂ 0.01 en bTRIMP vs sRPE: r = 0.90, P ˂ 0.01). Die verwantskappe tussen die verskillende oefenladingsmetodes was selfs sterker tydens die Cape Epic wedren (iTRIMP vs bTRIMP: r = 0.90, P ˂ 0.01; iTRIMP vs sRPE: r = 0,79, P ˂ 0.01 en bTRIMP vs sRPE: r = 0,94, P ˂ 0,01). Matige korrelasies is gevind tussen die harttempo-gebaseerde metodes en die totale wedrentyd (iTRIMP: r = -0.56, P = 0.85, bTRIMP: r = -0.53, P = 0.09) en ʼn swak korrelasie vir sRPE en totale wedrentyd (r = -0.41, P = 0.20). Statisties betekenisvolle korrelasies is gevind tussen wedrentyd en iTRIMP tellings gedurende die wedren (r = -0.78, P ˂ 0.01), in vergelyking met ʼn matige korrelasie vir bTRIMP gedurende die wedren en totale wedrentyd (r = -0.58, P = 0.08) en ʼn swak korrelasie vir sRPE tydens die wedren en wedrentyd (r = -0.36, P = 0.31). Met die tyd-in-sone metode was die verspreiding van oefenintensiteit vir die voorbereidingsfase in sone 1, 2 en 3 onderskeidelik 58%, 27% en 15% en vir die Cape Epic wedren onderskeidelik 42%, 41% en 17% in sone 1,2 en 3. Ten slotte, die iTRIMP is 'n nuttige aanwyser vir die interne oefenlading van MTB- fietsryers en korreleer goed met voorheen gebruikte interne metingsmodelle, soos sRPE en Banister's TRIMP. In die toekoms behoort studies die gebruik van 'n kraguitsetmeters, veral in fietsry, te ondersoek, weens die onmiddellike resultate en akkuraatheid van hierdie instrumente. Amateur MTB-fietsryers volg 'n piramidale oefenpatroon tydens die voorbereidingsfase, wat in lyn is met hoër vlak kompeterende fietsryers, en wat voldoende is om die suksesvolle voltooiing van die resies te verseker.
Description
Thesis (MScSportSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2017
Keywords
Training impulse -- Cyclists, UCTD, Mountain biking -- Training, Pyramidal training -- Cyclists, Polarised training -- Cyclists, Training intensity distribution -- Cyclists
Citation