Cylingnews.com's Fitness Q&A

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Anonymous's picture
Anonymous

This week's Cylingnews.com's Fitness Q&A has an interesting discussion of optimal cadence. Each contributor makes some good points -- the only failing is that none are 100% complete in addressing the question, but at least the foundation is laid. There is also an interesting view of weight training, one I personally support.

See http://www.cyclingnews.com/fitness/?id=2004/letters03-01

Anonymous's picture
Hank Schiffman (not verified)
interesting reading, question?

One of the panel mentioned that VO2 Max is, for all intents, a fixed value. Well, he said there isn't all that much we can do to raise it once we are in aerobic fitness. But he did say that Lactate Threshold Power is a value which our training can change. The way it came across it sounded as if we can elevate it substantially. Can we raise it alot? Or, by raising it just a little do we get sustantial performance improvements?

Anonymous's picture
linda (not verified)
VO2max

Actually, I thought it was a great, simple explanation of VO2max which I've never quite understood. I'd be really interested in being tested to find out what mine is - anyone have any suggestions? As a runner and a cyclist, maybe that's the info I need to push myself harder or not be so hard on myself when I can't get faster.

Anonymous's picture
Judith Tripp (not verified)
Testing for VO2max

Linda: Try and find some research project being done at one of the hospitals which will include a VO2Max test. Chances are you will come away with some number in the 40s and you won't have spent a couple of hundred dollars finding that out. Whatever the number, what are you going to do with it? It's just a number. Why is it going to make you work harder?!!

Anonymous's picture
John Z (not verified)
Don't Bother

"Next to maximum heart rate, VO2 Max is the most overplayed and least understood biomechanical parameter. It is also difficult to quantify, because there is a ""chicken/egg"" aspect to VO2 Max. This is exemplified that an individual's VO2 Max can't be increased much -- training mostly enables an individual to approach his/her VO2 Max. Think of it this way, VO2 Max is simply the maximum oxygen uptake obtained under maximal aerobic working conditions. In untrained individuals, muscle capacity for work limits oxygen uptake; conversely, in trained individuals oxygen delivery is the limiter. Thus, after undertaking a training regimen, untrained individuals quite rapidly experiences an apparent increase in VO2 Max that quickly plateaus. From that point onward VO2 Max gains are slow. While across individuals of different fitness levels VO2 Max is an indicator or performance ability, within groups of individuals with equal fitness levels there is little correlation between VO2 Max and performance. Given the latter point, I see no reason why any nonprofessional athlete should undergo the expense of a VO2 Max test. For the curious, one might consider the fitness test built into Polar heart rate monitors, which is surprisingly accurate.

What really matters is power, not VO2 Max. Power is the bottom line of training and ability, the combination of oxygen delivery and muscle efficiency. For the money spent on VO2 Max, you could be well on your way toward an investment in a power meter, a tool you can use daily in your training."

Anonymous's picture
linda (not verified)
Power meters

John - Thanks for your great input - I'll give it all some thought.

Anonymous's picture
Hank Schiffman (not verified)
a reputed quote

"James Watt, on presenting his steam engine was reputed as saying, ""Gentlemen, I give you what the world craves, power."""

Anonymous's picture
John Z (not verified)
More On Power Meters

"Linda;

The only issue concerning power meters is cost. There is no argument that its not the best cycling training tool. Power is a better gauge of your real effort than either heart rate or speed. Equally important, power-based training concepts are simple,elegant and universal. No zones, no subjective terms such as ""lactate threshold"" (which by my count has 4 different definitions, depending upon to whom you talk), no Chinese menu of training that you get with CTS or Joe Friel. There is only one term to remember: critical power, the power you can produce for a given time period. Once you understand critical power and the critical power curve, it all makes sense."

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