Optimal Morphotype For a Cyclist

The physiology of a road cyclist is measured in variousindividual morph type in competitions and events. The
levels- on leveled terrain, uphill and downhill roads. Aanthropometric characteristics differ from person to
cyclist's anthropometric characteristics contribute to hisperson.
or her performance. BM determines uphill cyclingThe results of three-week stage races (Tour de
performance while FA affects the individualFrance, Giro d'Italia, Vuelta a Espaha) are determined
performance on a terrain. (Swain et al. 1987). Theby performances in the time trial. The overall
morphological characteristics differ from person toperformance of these competitions shows an
person. Here morphotype specialists have a role tooptimum compromise between the cyclist's
play during each phase of a race. They can be flatanthropometric characteristics and his or her
terrain riders who perform on flat roads; uphill ridersphysiological attributes. You can imagine three
who ride on hills; all terrain riders who are comfortablecompetitors. It was noted that in these competitions a
on all types of terrain; time trial specialists meant forspecialist emerged the winner. Therefore they not only
individually raced events and sprinters who ride in thehave advantage on performance but also on the
final part of the race.outcome of the race. Other variables like
The information regarding the anthropometricthermoregulatory, recovery, and psychological
characteristics of flat terrain riders, hill climbers, time trialcapacities; health condition and race strategy also
specialists and all terrain riders is given in Padilla etaffects the performance.
al(1999). But no data on sprinters is available. There isIt has been proved based on data and experience that
sizeable difference in absolute Wmax, WLT, WOBLAcyclists are seldom pure hill climbers or pure time trial
and VO2max values among these riders. Flat terrainspecialists. Each type of a road cyclist is judged by
riders and time trial specialists showed the highestexternal characteristics like BM, body dimensions, and
values. These show the superior performance abilityinternal characteristics like aerobic and anaerobic
of the riders. Scaling of the values relative to BM andcapacities. The performance is mostly determined by
BM 0_79 changed the differences among groups.internal characteristics.
Uphill riders and time trial specialists showed the highestCyclists who have different external characteristics
value when Wmax, WLT and WOBLA were reportedperform similarly in competitions. There are times,
relative to BM and BM079. These groups share asituations and training states where a cyclist can
similar aptitude in uphill cycling.perform as an optimum climber, an optimum specialist
Time trial specialists perform as good as flat terrainor both rather than optimum morphotype for climbing
riders and uphill specialists. A professional cyclist is notor time trial.
determined by optimal morphotype but by his or her