Comparison of body composition and aerobic and anaerobic performance between competitive cyclists and triathletes

• Published in: Revista brasileira de cineantropometria & desempenho humano 2013-01, Vol.15 (6), p.646-655
• Main Authors: Moro, Vanderson Luis, Gheller, Rodrigo Ghedini, de Oliveira Berneira, Joscelito, Hoefelmann, Camila Peter, Karasiak, Fabio Colussi, Moro, Antonio Renato Pereira, Diefenthaeler, Fernando
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• ISSN: 1415-8426; 1980-0037
• DOI: 10.5007/1980-0037.2013v15n6p646

The aim of this study was to compare anthropometric characteristics and aerobic and anaerobic fitness between competitive cyclists and triathletes. The sample consisted of 11 cyclists and 12 triathletes with experience in competitions. The tests were performed on two different days, with an interval of 48 h between sessions. On the first day, the athletes were submitted to anthropometric assessment (body mass, height, and skinfold thickness) and a maximal incremental test to determine maximal oxygen uptake, maximum power, maximum heart rate, maximum lactate, and the first (LL sub(1)) and second lactate threshold (LL sub(2)). The Wingate test was conducted on the second day to determine peak power, average power, and fatigue index. There were significant difference (p < 0.05), with medium effect size (0.80 - 1.5), in mid-thigh skinfold thickness (15.2 + or - 6.3 and 10.5 + or - 4.8 mm), power at LL sub(1) (195.0 + or - 30.9 and 162.7 + or - 28.3 W), power at LL sub(2) (247.6 + or - 25.0 and 219.7 + or - 37.9 W), and fatigue index (47.2 + or - 13.0 and 60.1 + or - 16.4%) between cyclists and triathletes, respectively. The other variables did not differ between groups. Anthropometric characteristics are similar in triathletes and cyclists. However, cyclists present higher power outputs at the lactate thresholds (LL sub(1) and LL sub(2)) and lower fatigue indexes.Original Abstract: O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar as caracteristicas antropometricas e aptidao aerobia e anaerobia entre ciclistas e triatletas competitivos. Participaram do estudo 11 ciclistas e 12 triatletas com experiencia em competicoes esportivas. As avaliacoes foram realizadas em dois dias distintos, com intervalo de 48 h entre as sessoes. No primeiro dia, foram realizados a avaliacao antropometrica (massa corporal, estatura e dobras cutaneas) e um teste incremental maximo para determinacao do consumo maximo de oxigenio, potencia maxima, frequencia cardiaca maxima, lactato maximo, primeiro limiar de lactato (LL sub(1)) e segundo limiar de lactato (LL sub(2)). No segundo dia, foi realizado um teste de Wingate para obter a potencia pico, potencia media e indice de fadiga. Houve diferenca significativa (p < 0,05) e com tamanho de efeito moderado (0,80 - 1,5) para a dobra cutanea da coxa media (15,2 + or - 6,3 e 10,5 + or - 4,8 mm), potencia no LL sub(1) (195,0 + or - 30,9 e 162,7 + or - 28,3 W), potencia no LL sub(2) (247,6 + or - 25 e 219,7 + or - 37,9 W) e indice de fadiga (47,2 + or