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[RC] Lance Armstrong - Ridecamp Guest

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Authors EF Coyle
Title   Improved muscular efficiency displayed as Tour de France champion 
matures
Full source     Journal of Applied Physiology, 2005, Vol 98, Iss 6, pp 2191-2196

This case describes the physiological maturation from ages 21 to 28 yr of the 
bicyclist who has now become the six-time consecutive Grand Champion of the 
Tour de France, at ages 27 - 32 yr. Maximal oxygen uptake ((V) over dot O-2 
max) in the trained state remained at similar to 6 l/min, lean body weight 
remained at similar to 70 kg, and maximal heart rate declined from 207 to 200 
beats/min. Blood lactate threshold was typical of competitive cyclists in that 
it occurred at 76 - 85% (V) over dot O-2 max, yet maximal blood lactate 
concentration was remarkably low in the trained state. It appears that an 8% 
improvement in muscular efficiency and thus power production when cycling at a 
given oxygen uptake ((V) over dot O-2) is the characteristic that improved most 
as this athlete matured from ages 21 to 28 yr. It is noteworthy that at age 25 
yr, this champion developed advanced cancer, requiring surgeries and 
chemotherapy. During the months leading up to each of his Tour de France 
victories, he reduced body weight and body fat by 4 - 7 kg (i.e., similar to 
7%). Therefore, over the 7-yr period, an improvement in muscular efficiency and 
reduced body fat contributed equally to a remarkable 18% improvement in his 
steady-state power per kilogram body weight when cycling at a given (V) over 
dot O-2 ( e. G., 5 l/min). It is hypothesized that the improved muscular 
efficiency probably reflects changes in muscle myosin type stimulated from 
years of training intensely for 3 - 6 h on most days.


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