How Much Training Do Road Racers in USA Cycling Actually Do? An Observational Study of 543 Athletes, by Racing Category and Gender

Robert J. Sroka; Jessica Kutz Fleming; Sierra Lynn Sims; Dawn Podulka Coe; Cary Michelle Springer; David R. Bassett

doi:10.28985/1425.jsc.08

Authors

Robert J. Sroka University of Tennessee, Knoxville https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0116-0449
Jessica Kutz Fleming University of Tennessee, Knoxville https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3041-1527
Sierra Lynn Sims University of Tennessee, Knoxville. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0285-7935
Dawn Podulka Coe University of Tennessee, Knoxville https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6386-0700
Cary Michelle Springer University of Tennessee, Knoxville https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3682-360X
David R. Bassett University of Tennessee, Knoxville https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2434-7220

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.28985/1425.jsc.08

Keywords:

Endurance Sports, Bicycling, Exercise, Training Volumes, Power Profiles

Abstract

Advances in bicycle instrumentation and social media applications make it possible to quantify training and racing. PURPOSE: The primary purpose was to compare training volume of USA Cycling (USAC) road racers, split out by racing category and gender. A secondary purpose was to compare power profiles of these groups. METHODS: Part 1. USAC racers with a Strava® account were selected. Using 2019 data uploaded from GPS head units, 543 racers (279 men, 264 women) were studied. Part 2. A subset of racers with power meters (N=346) were contacted to obtain demographic information and peak power data (5-s, 1-min, 5-min, 20-min, and 1-h). 92 racers (67 men, 25 women) agreed to participate. ANOVAS were used to compare annual training/racing metrics and power data across categories and genders. RESULTS: Part 1. Training/racing volumes (annual hours, distances, races, and ride days) rose significantly as the level of expertise increased. There were significant gender differences for pros (p<0.001) for all variables except ride days, but there were no gender differences within categories 2, 3, 4, and 5. Part 2. In terms of peak power (W·kg^–1), there were significant main effects for category and gender (p<0.001), but no significant interactions. Overall, men produced more power than women. Categories 1/2 produced significantly more power than categories 3, 4, and 5, but the differences between categories 3, 4, and 5 were marginal. CONCLUSION: Cycling coaches can use this information to develop training programs for bicycle road racers at all levels, and for tracking their progress.

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Author Biographies

Robert J. Sroka, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Robert Sroka completed his Master's degree in the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The current study was completed in partial fulfillment of his Master's thesis.

Jessica Kutz Fleming, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Jessica Kutz Fleming is an associate professor of practice in the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Sierra Lynn Sims, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Sierra Sims completed her Master's degree in the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Dawn Podulka Coe, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Dawn Podulka Coe is an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Cary Michelle Springer, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Cary Springer, M.S. is a statistical consultant in the Office of Innovative Technology, Statistical Support, at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

David R. Bassett, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

David Bassett is a professor emeritus in the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.