ECSS Paris 2023: OP-AP40
INTRODUCTION: Far-infrared (FIR)–emitting textiles have been proposed as a passive strategy to modulate thermoregulation and reduce cardiovascular strain during endurance exercise [1]. In this context, the choice of textile fiber has been shown to significantly influence thermoregulatory efficiency and perceived comfort during cycling performance at a temperate condition [2]. This randomized crossover study investigated the acute effects of a full-body FIR garment compared to a placebo during cycling at ventilatory threshold 1 (VT1), accounting for environmental variability. METHODS: Nine junior and one Under 23 male cyclists (17.4 ± 1.4 years; VO₂max 67.9 ± 3.5 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) completed standardized sessions including 40 min at VT1 and a 5-s maximal sprint. Heart rate (HR), skin temperature, core temperature, peak and area under curve (AUC) temperature, VO₂ mean, gross efficiency, hydration markers, perceived comfort and hematological variables were collected. Repeated-measures ANCOVA (within factor: garment) was performed using mean room temperature and relative humidity as covariates. Partial eta squared (ηp²) was calculated. Time-series variables were analyzed using linear mixed models (LMM) with garment × time interaction and environmental covariates. RESULTS: Mean room temperature across sections was 21.04; humidity 58.57. HR mean and HR AUC were significantly lower with FIR (respectively, Δ ≈ −4.2 bpm; Δ ≈ −158 bpm·s; p < 0.005, ηp²=.453), indicating reduced cardiovascular strain. Core temperature peak and AUC were significantly lower with FIR (Δ ≈-0.1; p < 0.05; ηp²=.378), whereas skin temperature peak was slightly higher. VO₂ mean, gross efficiency and sprint peak power were unaffected (p > 0.05). No clear differences were observed in body mass loss, hematocrit, hemoglobin or plasma volume variation (p > 0.05). Time-series analysis revealed a significant garment × time interaction for perceived comfort (p = 0.0125), indicating divergent perceptual trajectories despite similar global means. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, FIR-emitting garments significantly attenuate cardiovascular and central thermal strain during moderate-intensity cycling in temperate conditions. The simultaneous reduction in heart rate and core temperature suggests that FIR technology facilitates a more efficient heat redistribution rather than affecting total metabolic heat production. Future studies should focus on the applicability of FIR in cycling at intensities higher than VT1. References: 1. Bontemps B, Gruet M, Vercruyssen F, Louis J. Utilisation of far infrared-emitting garments for optimising performance and recovery in sport: Real potential or new fad? A systematic review. PLoS One. 2021. 2. Ferguson, J., Hadid, A., Epstein, Y., & Jensen, D. Effect of Clothing Fabric on 20-km Cycling Performance in Endurance Athletes. Frontiers in sports and active living 2022.
Read CV Giacomo BelmonteECSS Paris 2023: OP-AP40
INTRODUCTION: Tramadol, an opioid analgesic, can enhance performance of time trial (TT) cycling by a mean of 1.3%. Consequently, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) specified tramadol as a Prohibited Substance in January 2024. There is now concern that other opioid analgesics, not currently on the Prohibited List, may be used as performance enhancing drugs as a replacement for tramadol. Tapentadol (TP) and dihydrocodeine (DHC) are two such drugs that have been added to the 2024 Monitoring Program. This abstract presents the preliminary data from a pre-registered, randomised controlled trial following a counter-balanced, double-blinded, crossover study design (funded by WADA, grant reference 241C18AM), assessing whether TP and DHC enhance cycling TT performance in highly trained cyclists. METHODS: Eighteen highly trained and experienced cyclists and triathletes (16 males age = 41±10 y, stature = 179±9 cm, mass = 78.0±11.1 kg, VO2max = 57±8 mL/kg/min, power output at gas exchange threshold = 220±39 W; 2 females age 40±1 y, stature = 165±5 cm, mass 60.6±2.2 kg, VO2max = 54±7 mL/kg/min, power output at gas exchange threshold = 155±3 W) completed five exercise tests across separate visits. In Visit 1, participants completed a ramp VO2max test and experimental trial familiarisation, and in Visit 2 completed a full experimental trial familiarisation. Visits 3-5 were experimental trials, where participants completed a 30-min ‘cycling control pre-load’ test on cycling rollers fixed at a heavy intensity, immediately followed by a 25-mile (40.2-km) cycling performance TT on a Cyclus2 cycle ergometer. One hour prior to warm up and experimental testing, participants ingested either 50-mg tapentadol, 60-mg dihydrocodeine, or a placebo in a double-blind, randomised and counterbalanced design. During the cycling control pre-load test, rating of perceived exertion and pain scales were used to assess changes in effort (RPE) and pain. RESULTS: Compared to placebo, time trial completion time improved by a mean of 1.73% (-71.3 (-138 to -4.67) s, p=0.043; ES: 0.5, ‘medium’) following the ingestion of TP (4111 ± 427 s vs. 4040 ± 385 s). However, there was no difference in completion time (-17.8 (-84.5 to -48.8) s, p=0.6; ES: 0.12, ‘small’) between the placebo condition and the DHC condition (4111 ± 427 s vs. 4093 ± 393 s). There was no difference in mean pain or mean RPE between the PLA and TP, or PLA and DHC trial experienced during the cycling control pre-load test. No significant side-effects from TP or DHC were experienced by any of the participants. CONCLUSION: This preliminary data set provides strong evidence that TP, but not DHC, can exert a statistically significant and competitively meaningful performance enhancing effect (mean 1.73% improvement in TT completion time), and that this is potentially greater than the banned substance tramadol. This performance enhancing effect occurred despite no measurable change to pain perception or perception of effort.
Read CV Alexis MaugerECSS Paris 2023: OP-AP40
INTRODUCTION: In road cycling training and racing, uphill riding is a critical determinant of performance. Athletes dynamically adjust their cycling posture—primarily between seated and standing positions—based on the gradient, physical fitness, and fatigue when uphill riding. This study aimed to evaluate the gas metabolic characteristics of seated and standing postures across various inclines to optimize cycling strategies and enhance climbing economy. METHODS: Eleven male youth cyclists (Age: 17.0 ± 1.1 years; Height: 178.5 ± 4.2 cm; Weight: 71.7 ± 3.5 kg; Body Fat: 16.6 ± 2.7%; Training Experience: 3.4 ± 2.2 years; Relative VO2max: 60.7 ± 2.9 ml/min/kg) were recruited. After determining individual VO2max via an incremental exercise test, subjects performed cycling trials on a cycling treadmill（Rodby Treadmill RL3500）at a constant intensity of 80% VO2max power (monitored via SRM power meters). Trials were conducted at four gradients (0%, 4%, 8%, and 10%) using both seated and standing postures. Gas metabolism (COSMED-K5), blood lactate (Lactate Scout), heart rate (Polar), and Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) were recorded. Data were analyzed using paired samples t-tests for RPE and one-way ANOVA for physiological indices, with Cohen’s d calculating effect sizes. RESULTS: Oxygen Consumption (VO2): At an 8% gradient, standing cycling showed a significantly lower VO2 (3537.45 ± 442.66 ml/min) compared to seated cycling (3976.53 ± 372.32 ml/min, p < 0.01). No significant differences were observed at other gradients. Carbon Dioxide Output (VCO2): At 8% gradient, VCO2 was significantly lower in the standing posture (3376.94 ± 534.89 ml/min) than in the seated posture (3755.70 ± 455.91 ml/min, p < 0.05). Relative VO2: At 8% gradient, relative VO2 was significantly lower during standing (51.45 ± 7.17 ml/min/kg) than seated (57.74 ± 5.20 ml/min/kg), demonstrating a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 1.05). Energy Expenditure (EE): EE was significantly higher in the seated posture at 8% gradient compared to standing (p < 0.01); this gradient represented the maximal disparity in EE between postures. Oxygen Pulse: Seated cycling exhibited a significantly higher oxygen pulse than standing cycling across 4%, 8%, and 10% gradients (p < 0.05). Subjective Strain: At 10% gradient, standing cycling elicited significantly higher maximum HR and RPE compared to seated cycling. CONCLUSION: At an intensity of 80%VO2max power, standing cycling is more physiological economical than seated cycling at an 8% gradient, as evidenced by significantly lower relative VO2 and energy expenditure. Therefore, athletes may prioritize standing posture at this specific incline to conserve energy. Conversely, at a 10% gradient, the standing posture induces higher cardiovascular and perceived strain, suggesting its potential utility for high-intensity heart rate and fatigue-resistance training.
Read CV Junbei BaiECSS Paris 2023: OP-AP40