Effects of a Self-Paced Cycling Time Trial on Muscle Function and Cell-Free DNA in Master Athletes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-0037.2025v27e99458Keywords:
Cell-Free Nucleic Acids, Bicycling, Physical Functional Performance, Athletic PerformanceAbstract
The objective of this study is characterizing the self-selected pacing strategy (PS) of master cyclists during a simulated 20-km cycling time trial and to assess muscle function and cell-free DNA response. Eight cyclists (age: 42.00 ± 5.35 years) participated in the study. Initially, heart rate (HR), cell-free DNA (cfDNA), anthropometric measurements, and muscle function markers (vertical jump, muscle soreness, thigh circumference and range of motion) were collected at rest. The 20-km cycling time trial (20TT) session proceeded as follows: first, each participant completed an individual warm-up with a self-selected pace for 10 minutes. After this, participants were instructed to perform the 20TT in the shortest time possible using their preferred PS. HR, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), time, speed, cadence, and power output were measured during all tests. Venous blood samples were collected immediately and 30 minutes after 20TT to analyze cfDNA. Additionally, muscle function markers (MF) were reassessed 30 minutes after the end of the exercise. The results showed that power output-duration curve exhibited a self-selected parabolic PS (U-shape) with preference for pedaling at high cadences (> 90 rpm). RPE and HR increase linearly, reaching peak values at the end of the test. Regarding cfDNA, vertical jump and thigh circumference no differences were observed 30 minutes after exercise (P > 0.05). In conclusion, these findings indicate that this parabolic pacing profile with high cadences can be an optimal strategy for performance in the 20TT, as it did not impair muscle function.
References
Abbiss CR, Laursen PB. Describing and Understanding Pacing Strategies during Athletic Competition. Sports Med. 2008;38(3):239–252. Doi:10.2165/00007256-200838030-00004
Atkinson G, Peacock O, St Clair Gibson A, Tucker R. Distribution of Power Output During Cycling. Sports Med. 2007;37(8):647–667. Doi: 10.2165/00007256-200737080-00001.
Chaffin ME, Berg K, Zuniga J, Hanumanthu VS. Pacing pattern in a 30-minute maximal cycling test. J Strength Cond Res 2008;22(6):2011–2017. Doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e31818751b9.
Thomas K, Stone MR, Thompson KG, St Clair Gibson A, Ansley L. The effect of self- even- and variable-pacing strategies on the physiological and perceptual response to cycling. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2012;112(8):3069-78. Doi: 10.1007/s00421-011-2281-9.
Albertus Y, Tucker R, Clair Gibson A St., Lambert E V., Hampson DB, Noakes TD. Effect of distance feedback on pacing strategy and perceived exertion during cycling. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2005;37(3):461–468. Doi: 10.1249/01.MSS.0000155700.72702.76.
Smits BLM, Pepping GJ, Hettinga FJ. Pacing and decision making in sport and exercise: The roles of perception and action in the regulation of exercise intensity. Sports Med. 2014;44(6):763–775. Doi: 10.1007/s40279-014-0163-0.
Roelands B, Koning J De, Foster C, Hettinga F, Meeusen R. Neurophysiological determinants of theoretical concepts and mechanisms involved in pacing. Sports Med. 2013;43(5):301–311. Doi: 10.1007/s40279-013-0030-4.
Cohen J, Reiner B, Foster C, de Koning JJ, Wright G, Doberstein ST, Porcari JP. Breaking Away: Effects of Nonuniform Pacing on Power Output and Growth of Rating of Perceived Exertion. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2013;8(4):352–357. Doi: 10.1123/ijspp.8.4.352.
Koning JJ, Foster C, Bakkum A, Kloppenburg S, Thiel C, Joseph T, Cohen J, Porcari JP. Regulation of pacing strategy during athletic competition. PLoS One 2011;6(1):2–7. Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015863.
Enoka RM, Duchateau J. Muscle fatigue: What, why and how it influences muscle function. J Physiol. 2008;586(1):11–23. Doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2007.139477.
Knicker AJ, Renshaw I, Oldham ARH, Cairns SP. Interactive Processes Link the Multiple Symptoms of Fatigue in Sport Competition. Sports Med. 2011;41(4):307–328. Doi: 10.2165/11586070-000000000-00000.
Millet GY, Martin V, Lattier G, Ballay Y. Mechanisms contributing to knee extensor strength loss after prolonged running exercise. J Appl Physiol. 2003;94(1):193–198. Doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00600.2002.
Tug S, Mehdorn M, Helmig S, Breitbach S, Ehlert T, Simon P. Exploring the Potential of Cell-Free-DNA Measurements After an Exhaustive Cycle-Ergometer Test as a Marker for Performance-Related Parameters. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2017;12(5):597–604. Doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2016-0157.
Andreatta M V, Curty VM, Coutinho JVS, Santos MÂA, Vassallo PF, de Sousa NF, Barauna VG. Cell-Free DNA as an Earlier Predictor of Exercise-Induced Performance Decrement Related to Muscle Damage. Int J Sports Physiol Perform, 2018;13(7):953–956. Doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2017-0421.
Binkley S, Foster C, Cortis C, de Koning JJ, Dodge C, Doberstein ST, Fusco A, Jaime SJ, Porcari JP. Summated hazard score as a powerful predictor of fatigue in relation to pacing strategy. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021;18(4):1–14. Doi: 10.3390/ijerph18041984.
Fahs CA, Loenneke JP, Thiebaud RS, Rossow LM, Kim D, Abe T, Beck TW, Feeback DL, Bemben DA, Bemben MG. Muscular adaptations to fatiguing exercise with and without blood flow restriction. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging. 2015;35(3):167–176. Doi: 10.1111/cpf.12141.
Roelands B, Koning J de, Foster C, Hettinga F, Meeusen R. Neurophysiological Determinants of Theoretical Concepts and Mechanisms Involved in Pacing. Sports Med. 2013;43(5):301–311. Doi: 10.1007/s40279-013-0030-4.
Bertuzzi R, Lima-Silva AE, Pires FO, Damasceno MV, Bueno S, Pasqua LA, Bishop DJ. Pacing Strategy Determinants During a 10-km Running Time Trial. J Strength Cond. 2014;28(6):1688–1696. Doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000000314.
Foster C, Koning JJ De, Hettinga F, Lampen J, La Clair KL, Dodge C, Bobbert M, Porcari JP. Pattern of energy expenditure during simulated competition. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2003;35(5):826–831. Doi: 10.1249/01.MSS.0000065001.17658.68.
Aisbett B, Rossignol P Le, McConell GK, Abbiss CR, Snow R. Effects of starting strategy on 5-min cycling time-trial performance. J Sports Sci. 2009;27(11):1201–1209. Doi: 10.1080/02640410903114372.
Lepers R, Hausswirth C, Maffiuletti N, Brisswalter J, van Hoecke J. Evidence of neuromuscular fatigue after prolonged cycling exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;32(11):1880-6. Doi: 10.1097/00005768-200011000-00010.
Padilla S, Mujika I, Orbañanos J, Angulo F. Exercise intensity during competition time trials in professional road cycling. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;32(4):850-6. Doi: 10.1097/00005768-200004000-00019.
Tucker R. The anticipatory regulation of performance: the physiological basis for pacing strategies and the development of a perception-based model for exercise performance. Br J Sports Med, 2009;43(6):392–400. Doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2008.050799.
Koning JJ de, Foster C, Bakkum A, Kloppenburg S, Thiel C, Joseph T, Cohen J, Porcari JP. Regulation of Pacing Strategy during Athletic Competition. PLoS One. 2011;6(1): e15863. Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015863.
Binkley S, Foster C, Cortis C, de Koning JJ, Dodge C, Doberstein ST, et al. Summated Hazard Score as a Powerful Predictor of Fatigue in Relation to Pacing Strategy. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(4):1984. Doi: 10.3390/ijerph18041984.
Joseph T, Johnson B, Battista RA, Wright G, Dodge C, Porcari JP, de Koning JJ, Foster C. Perception of Fatigue during Simulated Competition. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2008;40(2):381–386. Doi:10.1249/mss.0b013e31815a83f6
Haller N, Helmig S, Taenny P, Petry J, Schmidt S, Simon P. Circulating, cell-free DNA as a marker for exercise load in intermittent sports. PLoS One. 2018;13(1). Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191915.
