Performance Profile among Age Categories in Young Cyclists

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Overall, adolescence brings upon many bodily changes that modify physical capacities. To better understand these physiological changes and the characteristics of each stage of adolescent development in youth cycling, it is necessary to describe and compare cyclists that pertain to lower categories. Parameters such as maximum oxygen uptake, fat oxidation capacity, functional power threshold, and ventilatory thresholds are decisive predictors of performance in future stages. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the physiological profile of different road cyclist age categories (Youth, Junior, and Under-23) to obtain the performance requirements. The results suggest major differences, with the Youth group showing clear changes in all metabolic zones except in fat oxidation. The Youth group physiological profile is clearly different from the other age categories. The present results suggest that the Juniors’ qualities are closer to adult performance, however, little is known about sports performance indicators in adolescent cyclists. ABSTRACT: Endurance profile assessment is of major interest to evaluate the cyclist’s performance potential. In this regard, maximal oxygen uptake and functional threshold power are useful functional parameters to determine metabolic training zones (ventilatory threshold). The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the physiological profile of different road cyclist age categories (Youth, Junior, and Under-23) to obtain the performance requirements. Sixty-one competitive road cyclists (15–22 years) performed a maximal incremental test on a bike in order to determine functional parameters (maximal fat oxidation zone, ventilatory thresholds, maximal oxygen uptake, and functional threshold power) and metabolic training zones. The results suggest major differences, with the Youth group showing clear changes in all metabolic zones except in fat oxidation. The main differences between Under-23 vs. Junior groups were observed in maximal relative power output (Under-23: 6.70 W·Kg(−1); Junior: 6.17 W·Kg(−1)) and relative functional threshold power (Under-23: 4.91 W·Kg(−1); Junior: 4.48 W·Kg(−1)). The Youth group physiological profile is clearly different to the other age categories. Some parameters normalized to body weight (maximal oxygen consumption, load and functional threshold power) could be interesting to predict a sporting career during the Junior and Under-23 stages.