Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings January 2014, Volume 27, Number 1 | Page 45
Table 1. Characteristics of course profile and exercise intensity during the Transalp Challenge 2004
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
Stage 5
Stage 6
Stage 7
Stage 8
Mean ± SD
Temperature (°C)
28
24
24
29
32
33
28
22
28 ± 4
Humidity (relative) (%)
45
45
44
50
45
60
50
94
69 ± 17
Stage distance (km)
80
73
74
119
54
73
124
67
83 ± 25
Stage time (min)
293
328
287
402
225
280
426
278
315 ± 60
Speed (km/h)
16.4 ± 1.2 13.4 ± 1.1 15.5 ± 1.3 17.8 ± 1.6 14.4 ± 1.0 15.6 ± 1.2 17.5 ± 1.9 14.5 ± 0.9
15.6 ± 1.5
HRAVERAGE (beats/min)
164 ± 14
146 ± 15
144 ± 16
143 ± 13
145 ± 17
142 ± 17
139 ± 14
134 ± 18
145 ± 17
90.1
80.2
79.1
78.6
79.7
78.0
76.4
73.6
79.5 ± 4.8
%HRMAXLab
HRMAX (beats/min)
181
164
164
162
163
162
158
154
164 ± 8
HRMAX (%HRMAXLab)
99.5
90.1
90.1
89.0
89.6
89.0
86.8
84.6
89.8 ± 4.3
208 ± 25
166 ± 26
170 ± 72
165 ± 75
167 ± 29
160 ± 31
151 ± 22
148 ± 28
167 ± 18
90.4
72.2
73.9
71.7
72.6
69.6
65.7
64.4
72.6 ± 8.0
POAVERAGE (Watt)
POAVERAGE (%PPOABSOLUTELab)
POMAX (Watt)
223
196
193
193
195
193
184
174
194 ± 14
POMAX (%PPOABSOLUTELab)
97.0
85.2
83.9
83.9
84.8
83.9
80.0
75.7
84.3 ± 6.0
Body mass (kg)
48.2
49.6
48.1
49.2
49.7
49.9
49.9
49.8
49.3 ± 0.8
15
17
19
14
15
17
17
18
16.5 ± 1.7
Total altitude climbed (m)
2398
3099
2619
3366
2103
2732
3995
2141
2807 ± 650
Distance (km)
43.8
43.9
39.7
46.3
23.1
34.7
69.1
14.7
39 ± 16
Total altitude (m)
2512
2556
2770
4030
2333
2633
3264
3234
2917 ± 560
Distance (km)
29.1
26.4
26.8
67.1
27.5
34.6
28.2
34.9
34 ± 14
RPE (6–20) (points)
Uphill cycling
Downhill cycling
HR indicates heart rate; PO, power output and PPO, peak PO (both based on laboratory testing); RPE, rate of perceived exertion.
Her dietary plan was based on experience gained in the
TAC 2003 and was individually calculated using the current
recommendations for cyclists involved in stages races (6, 7). The
main goals in preparing the dietary plan were to replace energy,
mainly by providing carbohydrates, and to replace fluid needs
during daily racing (approximated: energy of 6 MJ, carbohydrates of 70–75 g/h, fluid of 2–4 L). The plan further aimed
to meet the athlete’s competitive target of placing in the top
20. The complete dietary intake was recorded over the entire
period of TAC 2004, using a 24-hour survey with the maximum
possible accuracy (daily verification of every nutritional item
by both the athlete and team partner). Fluid intake and energy
intake were calculated for prerace, race, and postrace periods and
subdivided into the macronutrients carbohydrates, protein, and
fat. If available, the energy and composition of packed and/or
prepared fluid and food were obtained from the manufacturer’s
declaration. If no food label was available, the calculation of
total energy intake and the respective macronutrients for each
piece, portion, or dish was determined from the ingredient
information and personal communication with the respective
chefs (standardized portions) and by using a vegan nutritional
information chart and standardized food composition databases
(8, 9).
January 2014
There were no major problems in implementing and conducting the plan. Despite a variety of flavors and good tolerance,
over the 8 days the woman gradually became weary of the sweet
taste of energy-dense supplements consumed exclusively during
racing. She preferred salty, spicy, and savory snacks, foods, and
meals (prerace/postrace). Even though she felt permanently
satiated, she tried to eat and drink constantly to provide sufficient energy, carbohydrates, and fluid to meet the nutritional
requirements and for optimum recovery. Sleeping times were
strictly kept in order to maximize recovery.
The results of dietary intake are shown in Tables 2 and 3
and Figure 1. Due to the early start time (8 am), carbohydrate
intake (188 ± 9.8 g/day, 3.8 g/kg) and fluid intake (200 ±
10 mL) were limited at breakfast. During racing, the energy
exclusively came from energy-dense supplements, with liquid
gels (35.32 ± 1.08 MJ) as the major source of energy (50.9%)
and carbohydrates (53.9%). The carbohydrates consumed contributed 40% of overall carbohydrate intake during the TAC
2004. The fluid intake while racing (3 ± 0.8 L/day, 570 mL/h,
12 mL/kg∗h) came exclusively from isotonic sport drinks (carbohydrates, 59 g/L; sodium, 350 mg/L), providing 54.7% of
total fluid intake (5.5 ± 1.3 L/day), which contributed 29% of
energy intake (20.20 ± 0.68 MJ) and 30.6% of carbohydrate
Energy and macronutrient intake of a female vegan cyclist during an 8-day mountain bike stage race
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