News, ideas, research, exercises, stories and reflections related to the sport of cycling.
Power:Cadence-test
After the critical power test, which is a test you repeat 2-4 times a year and takes a couple of days to complete, we went through the Recovery and training status test. A test that is ideally repeated every 2-4 weeks and only requires 16 minutes and 30 seconds of your day, showing your current training status. We now move on to a third test, which is even shorter and mentally easier to perform.
Recovery and training status test
In a previous post, we went through the critical power test. The second test I recommend is a Recovery and performance status test.
Are you eating “too” healthy?
Have you ever wondered how your body responds to intense training at the cellular level? With this post, we aim to increase understanding of how oxidative stress affects adaptations during endurance training for cyclists. Let’s dive into a study published in 2021 that highlights this topic.
Fueling for the Long Haul: Are You at Risk for REDs?
For cyclists, the equation often seems simple: lighter equals faster. Leading to a relentless pursuit of a higher power-to-weight ratio. Meticulous tracking of calories and push training to the limit. But what happens when this quest tips the bodys delicate balance too far? The answer could be something termed Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport, or REDs, a syndrome that can silently sabotage both your health and your performance.
Critical power testing
It is the end of October, and these days winter training/base training is starting for most cyclists. Something common for many is to perform some form of test, to get a benchmark for their training and to see their starting point heading into winter. In the upcoming series of posts, we will go through which tests are common and uncommon, which are easy and necessary, and which are complicated and less necessary for cyclists and other endurance athletes to undertake.
Use critical power to guide your training
In this post, Erik Åkesson explains what critical power (CP) is, how to measure it, and how he has used CP to guide his own training. Simply put, CP is the highest work intensity (power output) at which the body can maintain a steady state and thus work for an extended period, typically 20-40 minutes. When testing CP, you also get a measure of your total anaerobic capacity (W’), that is, how much energy you can expend above CP.
Keep healthy this fall
Autumn is peak season for illnesses such as colds and stomach bugs. Many factors conspire against our immune system. Fortunately, there are plenty of things we can do to improve our chances of staying healthy.