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Musculotendinous Adaptations to Strength and Endurance Training in Cyclists (STEND)

16 giugno 2026 aggiornato da: Lithuanian Sports University

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.

Panoramica dello studio

Stato

Completato

Condizioni

Intervento / Trattamento

Descrizione dettagliata

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 di studio

Interventistico

Iscrizione (Effettivo)

24

Fase

  • Non applicabile

Contatti e Sedi

Questa sezione fornisce i recapiti di coloro che conducono lo studio e informazioni su dove viene condotto lo studio.

Luoghi di studio

  • Lituania
      • Kaunas, Lituania, LT-44221
        • Lithuanian Sports University

Criteri di partecipazione

I ricercatori cercano persone che corrispondano a una certa descrizione, chiamata criteri di ammissibilità. Alcuni esempi di questi criteri sono le condizioni generali di salute di una persona o trattamenti precedenti.

Criteri di ammissibilità

Età idonea allo studio

  • Adulto

Accetta volontari sani

Sì

Descrizione

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

Piano di studio

Questa sezione fornisce i dettagli del piano di studio, compreso il modo in cui lo studio è progettato e ciò che lo studio sta misurando.

Come è strutturato lo studio?

Dettagli di progettazione

  • Scopo principale: Scienza basilare
  • Assegnazione: Randomizzato
  • Modello interventistico: Assegnazione parallela
  • Mascheramento: Separare

Armi e interventi

Gruppo di partecipanti / Arm
Intervento / Trattamento
Comparatore attivo: Endurance Training (END)
Endurance training group, performing their classical training routine
Comportamentale: Endurance training
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.
Altri nomi:
  • Endurance only training
Sperimentale: Strength + Endurance Training (ST)
Strength training group, performing 10-weeks off-season strength training (2 session/week) in addition to their endurance training routine.
Comportamentale: Endurance training
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.
Altri nomi:
  • Endurance only training
Comportamentale: Strength training
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.

Cosa sta misurando lo studio?

Misure di risultato primarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Knee extensors strength - One repetition maximum (1RM) (kg)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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.
Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
Quadriceps muscles thickness (mm)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
Quadriceps muscle thickness (mm) (vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, vastus medialis) assessed using B-mode ultrasound imaging.
Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (Nm)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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.
Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
Isokinetic peak torque (Nm)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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.
Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
Patellar tendon cross-sectional area (mm2)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
Patellar tendon morphological changes assessed using B-mode ultrasound imaging - cross-sectional area (square millimetres).
Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18

Misure di risultato secondarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Body mass (kg)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
Body mass (kg) assessed using standard anthropometric methods.
Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
Height (cm)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
Height (cm) assessed using standard anthropometric methods.
Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
Body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
Body mass (kg) and height (m) will be used to calculate the body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2).
Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
Body fat %
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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.
Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) (L/min, ml/min/kg)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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.
Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
Maximal aerobic power (MAP) (W, W/kg)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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
Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
Cycling gross efficiency (%)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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.
Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
Sprint peak power (W, W/kg)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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).
Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
Sprint peak crank torque (Nm, Nm/kg)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18
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).
Baseline (Week 0), Week 10, Week 14, and Week 18

Collaboratori e investigatori

Qui è dove troverai le persone e le organizzazioni coinvolte in questo studio.

Sponsor

Lithuanian Sports University

Pubblicazioni e link utili

La persona responsabile dell'inserimento delle informazioni sullo studio fornisce volontariamente queste pubblicazioni. Questi possono riguardare qualsiasi cosa relativa allo studio.

Pubblicazioni generali

Studiare le date dei record

Queste date tengono traccia dell'avanzamento della registrazione dello studio e dell'invio dei risultati di sintesi a ClinicalTrials.gov. I record degli studi e i risultati riportati vengono esaminati dalla National Library of Medicine (NLM) per assicurarsi che soddisfino specifici standard di controllo della qualità prima di essere pubblicati sul sito Web pubblico.

Studia le date principali

Inizio studio (Effettivo)

1 settembre 2023

Completamento primario (Effettivo)

1 giugno 2024

Completamento dello studio (Effettivo)

1 giugno 2024

Date di iscrizione allo studio

Primo inviato

1 giugno 2026

Primo inviato che soddisfa i criteri di controllo qualità

16 giugno 2026

Primo Inserito (Effettivo)

18 giugno 2026

Aggiornamenti dei record di studio

Ultimo aggiornamento pubblicato (Effettivo)

18 giugno 2026

Ultimo aggiornamento inviato che soddisfa i criteri QC

16 giugno 2026

Ultimo verificato

1 giugno 2026

Maggiori informazioni

Termini relativi a questo studio

Parole chiave

Termini MeSH pertinenti aggiuntivi

Altri numeri di identificazione dello studio

  • MNl-SVa(M)-2023-578

Piano per i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)

Hai intenzione di condividere i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)?

NO

Descrizione del piano IPD

Individual participant personal data will not be made publicly available due to institutional regulations, ethical considerations, and data protection requirements.

Informazioni su farmaci e dispositivi, documenti di studio

Studia un prodotto farmaceutico regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti

No

Studia un dispositivo regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti

No

Queste informazioni sono state recuperate direttamente dal sito web clinicaltrials.gov senza alcuna modifica. In caso di richieste di modifica, rimozione o aggiornamento dei dettagli dello studio, contattare register@clinicaltrials.gov. Non appena verrà implementata una modifica su clinicaltrials.gov, questa verrà aggiornata automaticamente anche sul nostro sito web .

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