Physiological profile of elite female road cyclists from Antioquia, Colombia: a cross-sectional study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v72.116571Keywords:
Female cyclists, Physiological profile, VO₂max, Ventilatory thresholds, Neuromuscular performanceAbstract
Background: This study aimed to describe the physiological profile of elite female cyclists from the department of Antioquia, Colombia. A quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional design was used, with data collected at a single time point.
Methods: The sample included 13 professional female cyclists from the team “Mujeres Antioquia – Orgullo Paisa.” Assessments included resting metabolic rate test, countermovement jump (CMJ), and a cycle ergometer cardiopulmonary exercise test.
Results: Resting substrate utilization revealed a carbohydrate consumption of 49.1 (39.6) % and fat consumption of 50.9 (39.6) %. The CMJ height was 25.9 (3.87) cm with a reactive strength index (RSI) of 0.510 (0.0936). During cycle ergospirometry, the oxygen consumption at ventilatory threshold 1 (VT1) was 36.1 (4.39) ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹, with a corresponding power output of 144 (30.9) W and an efficiency of 68.7 (5.01) %. At VT2, oxygen consumption reached 47.6 (6.33) ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹, with a power output of 215 (26.5) W and an efficiency of 90.4 (4.83) %. The maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) was 52.6 (4.9) ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹, and the power output was 287 (22.8) W.
Discussion: The values for VO₂max (52.6 ± 4.9) and peak power output (287 ± 22.8 W) were moderate compared to international standards. Despite this, the cyclists from Antioquia showed a higher percentage of VO₂max utilization at VT2 (90.4 ± 4.8%), indicating a high physiological efficiency for prolonged efforts, which is crucial in road cycling.
Conclusion: These findings provide a physiological reference point for performance monitoring and training planning in Colombian women’s cycling.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Santiago Cano-Giraldo, Juan D. Ascuntar-Viteri, Juan D. Quintero, Andrés F. Rodríguez-Hernández, Andrés M. Cadavid, Sergio López-Betancourt, Natalia Acosta-Arroyave, Andrés Rojas Jaramillo
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