Power Road-Derived Physical Performance Parameters in Junior, Under-23, and Professional Road Cycling Climbers

Purpose: To investigate the relationship of field-derived power and physical performance parameters with competition success in road cycling climbing specialists of age-related categories and to explore cross-sectional differences between high-ranked (HIGHR) climbing specialists of each category. Methods: Fifty-three male climbers participated in this study (junior [JUN], n = 15; under 23 [U23], n = 21; professional [PRO], n = 17). Training and racing data collected during the 2016-19 competitive seasons were retrospectively analyzed for record power outputs (RPOs) and RPOs after prior accumulated work. Results: In JUN, body mass, absolute RPOs, and relative RPOs were higher in HIGHR compared with low ranked (d = 0.97-2.20, large; P =.097-.001); in U23 and PRO, the percentage decrease in RPOs after 20, 30, 40, and 50 kJ.kg(-1) was less in HIGHR compared with low ranked (d = 0.77-1.74, moderate-large; P =.096-.004). JUN HIGHR presented lower absolute and relative RPO20 min (eta(2)(p) =.34 -.38, large; P =.099-.001) and higher percentage decrease in RPOs after prior accumulated work compared with U23 and PRO HIGHR (eta(2)(p) =.28 -.68, large; P =.060-.001); percentage decrease in RPOs after prior accumulated work was the only parameter differentiating U23 and PRO HIGHR, with PRO declining less in relative RPO-1 min, RPO-5 min, and RPO-20 min after 20 to 50 kJ.kg(-1) (eta(2)(p) =.28 -.68, large; P =.090-.001). Conclusions: Superior absolute and relative RPOs characterize HIGHR JUN climbing specialists. Superior fatigue resistance differentiates HIGHR U23 and PRO climbers compared with low ranked, as well as PRO versus U23 climbers.