Musculotendinous Adaptations to Strength and Endurance Training in Cyclists (STEND)
Transient Neuromuscular and Muscle-Tendon Adaptations Following Strength vs Endurance-Only Training in Competitive-Level Cyclists
This study investigated whether adding strength training to regular endurance training improves performance and muscle function in competitive cyclists. Endurance training is essential for cycling performance, while strength training has been widely recognised as a complementary strategy that may enhance performance and reduce injury risk. However, in practice, strength training is often performed only during limited periods of the training season, and it remains unclear to what extent the adaptations achieved are maintained during subsequent phases of endurance-focused training.
Male competitive cyclists were assigned to either a 10-week off-season combined strength and endurance training programme or an endurance-only training programme. The strength training group performed two weekly strength sessions in addition to their usual cycling training, while the control group continued with endurance training only.
Participants were assessed at four time points: before the intervention, after the initial 10-week training period, after a high-volume endurance training camp, and during a competition preparation phase. Measurements included body composition, muscle strength, explosive force production, muscle and tendon structure, and cycling performance variables such as maximal power output and aerobic capacity.
The primary aim of the study was to determine whether short-term strength training enhances neuromuscular performance and muscle-tendon characteristics in trained cyclists, and whether these adaptations are maintained or reduced when strength training is discontinued. A secondary aim was to examine how these changes interact with endurance adaptations across different phases of the training season.
It was hypothesised that strength training would improve muscle strength, power, and muscle-tendon structure, but that these adaptations would be partially reduced during subsequent training phases without continued strength stimulus.
Descripción general del estudio
Estado
Condiciones
Intervención / Tratamiento
Descripción detallada
This study was designed to investigate the effects of adding a short-term strength training intervention to regular endurance training in competitive cyclists, with a particular focus on neuromuscular, muscle-tendon, and performance adaptations across different phases of the training season. The study also aimed to examine the persistence of these adaptations during subsequent periods characterised by endurance-only training.
The intervention was implemented during the off-season period and consisted of a 10-week training phase in which participants completed either a combined strength and endurance programme (ST) or an endurance-only programme (END). The strength training programme was integrated into the athletes' regular training routine and included two weekly sessions targeting major lower-limb muscle groups, with the objective of improving maximal strength and explosive force production. Training load and content were aligned with the athletes' overall training plans to ensure ecological validity within a competitive cycling context.
Following this initial training phase, all participants continued with their regular endurance training through two distinct phases of the competitive season. The first phase consisted of a high-volume endurance training camp, primarily aimed at increasing training load and aerobic conditioning. The second phase corresponded to a competition preparation period, characterised by adjustments in training intensity and volume to optimise performance for competition. This sequential design allowed the assessment of both the development and the retention of adaptations induced by strength training under realistic training conditions.
A comprehensive non-invasive testing battery was implemented to capture adaptations across multiple physiological and performance domains. Neuromuscular assessments included measures of maximal strength, maximal voluntary contraction, rate of force development, and sprint-specific mechanical variables. Muscle-tendon characteristics were evaluated using imaging-based assessments of quadriceps muscle thickness and patellar tendon morphology. In addition, cycling-specific performance was assessed through measures of maximal power output, sprint performance, aerobic capacity, and gross efficiency. Anthropometric measurements were also collected to monitor potential changes in body composition.
The study was conducted using a repeated-measures design with multiple time points spanning the transition from the off-season to the competition period. This approach enabled the evaluation of both short-term training effects and their evolution over time. Particular emphasis was placed on understanding the interaction between strength training-induced adaptations and subsequent endurance training stimuli, as well as the extent to which neuromuscular and structural adaptations are maintained in the absence of continued strength training.
Overall, the study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the role of strength training in endurance-trained athletes, addressing both its effectiveness as a complementary training modality and the temporal stability of the adaptations it induces within a typical competitive season.
Tipo de estudio
Inscripción (Actual)
Fase
- No aplica
Contactos y Ubicaciones
Ubicaciones de estudio
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Kaunas, Lituania, LT-44221
- Lithuanian Sports University
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Criterios de participación
Criterio de elegibilidad
Edades elegibles para estudiar
- Adulto
Acepta Voluntarios Saludables
Descripción
Inclusion Criteria:
- Male competitive cyclist
- Aged 18 to 40 years
- Minimum of 3 years of structured cycling training experience
- Actively competing during the previous cycling season
- Following a structured training programme with planned competitions
- Able to participate in all training sessions and testing procedures
- Free from medical conditions contraindicating high-intensity exercise
Exclusion Criteria:
- Current musculoskeletal injury or pain affecting training or performance
- History of major lower-limb injury within the past 10 years
- Presence of any cardiovascular, neurological, or metabolic disease
- Use of medications that may affect physical performance or training adaptations
- Inability to comply with the training programme or testing schedule
- Participation in another structured strength training programme during the study period
Plan de estudios
¿Cómo está diseñado el estudio?
Detalles de diseño
- Propósito principal: Ciencia básica
- Asignación: Aleatorizado
- Modelo Intervencionista: Asignación paralela
- Enmascaramiento: Único
Armas e Intervenciones
Grupo de participantes/brazo |
Intervención / Tratamiento |
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Comparador activo: Endurance Training (END)
Endurance training group, performing their classical training routine
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The endurance-only group continued their usual cycling training without additional strength training.
Following the intervention, all participants performed endurance-only training during a high-volume training camp and a subsequent competition preparation phase.
Otros nombres:
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Experimental: Strength + Endurance Training (ST)
Strength training group, performing 10-weeks off-season strength training (2 session/week) in addition to their endurance training routine.
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The endurance-only group continued their usual cycling training without additional strength training.
Following the intervention, all participants performed endurance-only training during a high-volume training camp and a subsequent competition preparation phase.
Otros nombres:
Participants allocated to the combined strength and endurance training group completed two supervised strength training sessions per week for 10 weeks in addition to their habitual cycling training.
The strength programme targeted major lower-limb muscle groups (e.g., quadriceps, hip extensors) and was designed to improve maximal strength and explosive force production using multi-joint resistance exercises.
Training variables (e.g., load, volume, progression) were adjusted throughout the intervention according to training phase.
The endurance-only group continued their usual cycling training without additional strength training.
Following the intervention, all participants performed endurance-only training during a high-volume training camp and a subsequent competition preparation phase.
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¿Qué mide el estudio?
Medidas de resultado primarias
Medida de resultado |
Medida Descripción |
Periodo de tiempo |
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Knee extensors strength - One repetition maximum (1RM) (kg)
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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Maximal strength (kg) for the leg extension was estimated from a five-repetition maximum (5RM) test conducted according to National Strength and Conditioning Association guidelines in two exercises (barbell squat and leg press).
The corresponding 1RM values were estimated using the ExRx.net
calculator.
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Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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Quadriceps muscles thickness (mm)
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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Quadriceps muscle thickness (mm) (vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, vastus medialis) assessed using B-mode ultrasound imaging.
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Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (Nm)
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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Isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the knee extensors assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer (System 3; Biodex Medical Systems, Shirley, NY, USA).
Following a 5-min warm-up on a cycle ergometer at a self-selected workload and cadence, participants were seated upright in the dynamometer chair with double shoulder straps securing the upper body and were verbally encouraged to exert maximal effort.
Three MVC trials were performed at a knee joint angle of 70 o (full extension = 0 deg) and the highest peak torque (Nm) was used for analysis.
Each trial was separated by 1 minute of rest, and two submaximal warm-up contractions were completed before testing.
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Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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Isokinetic peak torque (Nm)
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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Isokinetic concentric peak torque of the knee extensors assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer (System 3; Biodex Medical Systems, Shirley, NY, USA).
Following a 5-min warm-up on a cycle ergometer at a self-selected workload and cadence, participants were seated upright in the dynamometer chair with double shoulder straps securing the upper body and were verbally encouraged to exert maximal effort.
Three maximal concentric contractions performed at a knee joint angle of 70 deg (full extension = 0 deg) and at 60 deg/s, and the highest peak torque (Nm) was used for analysis.
Each trial was separated by 1 minute of rest, and two submaximal warm-up contractions were completed before testing.
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Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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Patellar tendon cross-sectional area (mm2)
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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Patellar tendon morphological changes assessed using B-mode ultrasound imaging - cross-sectional area (square millimetres).
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Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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Medidas de resultado secundarias
Medida de resultado |
Medida Descripción |
Periodo de tiempo |
|---|---|---|
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Body mass (kg)
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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Body mass (kg) assessed using standard anthropometric methods.
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Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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Height (cm)
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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Height (cm) assessed using standard anthropometric methods.
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Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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Body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2)
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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Body mass (kg) and height (m) will be used to calculate the body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2).
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Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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Body fat %
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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To estimate body fat (%), skinfold thickness was assessed with a GIMA Skinfold Caliper, featuring a precision of 0.2 mm, at the following sites on the right side of the body: triceps, biceps, mid-axillary, chest, subscapular, abdominal, suprailiac, thigh, and calf.
The percentage of fat mass (BF%) were derived using the Jackson and Pollock equation (7-sites) and by the Siri equation.
BF% was calculated from body density (BD) using SIRI equation.
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Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) (L/min, ml/min/kg)
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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For the determination of VO2max, participants initiated with a standardized warm-up at 120 W for 5-min, followed by an incremental ramp test protocol (20 W/min) on an electromagnetically braked ergometer (Lode Excalibur Sport, Lode BV).
The cyclists were free to choose their pedaling cadence, and the ergometer's configuration was tailored to individual preferences and requisites.
Real-time analysis of gas exchange was conducted using a spiroergometric device operating in breath-by-breath mode (MetaLyzer 3B, Cortex Biophysik), with the gas analyzer calibrated prior to each session.
Heart rate was continuously monitored via a chest strap heart rate monitor (Polar H10, Polar Electro).
The VO2max was determined as the highest consecutive 30-second rolling average value attained during the test.
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Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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Maximal aerobic power (MAP) (W, W/kg)
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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For the determination of maximal aerobic power (MAP), participants initiated with a standardized warm-up at 120 W for 5-min, followed by an incremental ramp test protocol (20 W/min) on an electromagnetically braked ergometer (Lode Excalibur Sport, Lode BV).
The cyclists were free to choose their pedaling cadence, and the ergometer's configuration was tailored to individual preferences and requisites.
The maximal aerobic power (MAP) was identified as the maximum sustained power value achieved for a minimum duration of 1 second during the test.
Both variables were quantified i
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Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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Cycling gross efficiency (%)
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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Cycling gross efficiency (GE) was measured employing the MetaLyzer (MetaLyzer 3B, Cortex Biophysik) for gas exchange analysis and the Excalibur Sport bike ergometer (Lode Excalibur Sport, Lode BV).
After a 5-min warm up, participants sustained a consistent cadence of 75±2 rpm while pedaling for 8-min, exerting efforts at intensities corresponding to 45% of the MAP achieved during the maximal incremental exercise test.
Gross efficiency (%) was calculated for each stage using the formula: (Total work)/(Energy expended )×100.
Data validity was ascertained when the respiratory exchange ratio remained stable below 1, and calculations excluded the initial minute to ensure the attainment of gas exchange plateau.
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Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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Sprint peak power (W, W/kg)
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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To ensure procedural familiarity, each athlete participated in two simulation trials (i.e., spinning till sprint start and holding the sprint session for 1-2 seconds approximately) before the official 6-sec sprint commenced.
Subsequently, participants exerted their utmost sprinting effort throughout the entire 6 s duration while receiving robust verbal encouragement.
The Excalibur Sport bike ergometer (Lode Excalibur Sport, Lode BV) was employed for this sprint test, with the resistance (torque factor) set at 0.75 N×kg-1 of body mass and equipped with cyclist preferred pedals.
The resistance was applied with a cadence threshold of 100 rpm, following a 30 s warm-up at 150 W. The sprint 1-s peak power was quantified both in absolute terms and relative to the participant's body mass (W, W/kg).
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Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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Sprint peak crank torque (Nm, Nm/kg)
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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To ensure procedural familiarity, each athlete participated in two simulation trials (i.e., spinning till sprint start and holding the sprint session for 1-2 seconds approximately) before the official 6-sec sprint commenced.
Subsequently, participants exerted their utmost sprinting effort throughout the entire 6 s duration while receiving robust verbal encouragement.
The Excalibur Sport bike ergometer (Lode Excalibur Sport, Lode BV) was employed for this sprint test, with the resistance (torque factor) set at 0.75 N×kg-1 of body mass and equipped with cyclist preferred pedals.
The resistance was applied with a cadence threshold of 100 rpm, following a 30 s warm-up at 150 W. The sprint 1-s peak crank torque was quantified both in absolute terms and relative to the participant's body mass (Nm, Nm/kg).
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Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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Colaboradores e Investigadores
Patrocinador
Publicaciones y enlaces útiles
Publicaciones Generales
- Cesanelli L, Ammar A, Arede J, Calleja-Gonzalez J, Leite N. Performance indicators and functional adaptive windows in competitive cyclists: effect of one-year strength and conditioning training programme. Biol Sport. 2022 Mar;39(2):329-340. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2022.105334. Epub 2021 Apr 21.
- Bini RR, Flores Bini A. Potential factors associated with knee pain in cyclists: a systematic review. Open Access J Sports Med. 2018 May 23;9:99-106. doi: 10.2147/OAJSM.S136653. eCollection 2018.
- Bohm S, Mersmann F, Arampatzis A. Human tendon adaptation in response to mechanical loading: a systematic review and meta-analysis of exercise intervention studies on healthy adults. Sports Med Open. 2015 Dec;1(1):7. doi: 10.1186/s40798-015-0009-9. Epub 2015 Mar 27.
- Ronnestad BR, Mujika I. Optimizing strength training for running and cycling endurance performance: A review. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2014 Aug;24(4):603-12. doi: 10.1111/sms.12104. Epub 2013 Aug 5.
- Pallares JG, Barranco-Gil D, Rodriguez-Rielves V, de Pablos R, Buendia-Romero A, Martinez-Cava A, Franco-Lopez F, Sanchez-Redondo IR, Iriberri J, Revuelta C, Lillo-Bevia JR, Valenzuela PL, Lucia A, Hernandez-Belmonte A, Alejo LB. Cyclists do not need to incorporate off-bike resistance training to increase strength, muscle-tendon structure, and pedaling performance: Exploring a high-intensity on-bike method. Biol Sport. 2025 Feb 5;42(3):185-195. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2025.146790. eCollection 2025 Jul.
- Mujika I, Ronnestad BR, Martin DT. Effects of Increased Muscle Strength and Muscle Mass on Endurance-Cycling Performance. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2016 Apr;11(3):283-9. doi: 10.1123/IJSPP.2015-0405.
- Vikestad V, Lyngstad IK, Dalen T. Strength training among professional UCI road cyclists: Practices, challenges, and rationales. PLoS One. 2025 Jul 10;20(7):e0328195. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0328195. eCollection 2025.
Fechas de registro del estudio
Fechas importantes del estudio
Inicio del estudio (Actual)
Finalización primaria (Actual)
Finalización del estudio (Actual)
Fechas de registro del estudio
Enviado por primera vez
Primero enviado que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad
Publicado por primera vez (Actual)
Actualizaciones de registros de estudio
Última actualización publicada (Actual)
Última actualización enviada que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad
Última verificación
Más información
Términos relacionados con este estudio
Palabras clave
Términos MeSH relevantes adicionales
- Actividad motora
- Movimiento
- Fenómenos fisiológicos musculoesqueléticos
- Fenómenos fisiológicos musculoesqueléticos y neuronales
- Terapéutica
- Modalidades de fisioterapia
- Atención al paciente
- Terapia de ejercicio
- Rehabilitación
- Cuidado por los convalecientes
- Continuidad de la atención al paciente
- Acondicionamiento físico, humano
- Ejercicio
- Entrenamiento de resistencia
- Entrenamiento de resistencia
Otros números de identificación del estudio
- MNl-SVa(M)-2023-578
Plan de datos de participantes individuales (IPD)
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Descripción del plan IPD
Información sobre medicamentos y dispositivos, documentos del estudio
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