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 43