Road traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for young people, among whom cyclists account for a higher percentage of injuries and deaths than any other road users. This study aimed to examine ...the factor structure of the Young Cyclist Behavior Questionnaire (YCBQ) and investigate the relationships among demographic characteristics, cycling use‐related variables, perceived risk, perceived cycling skills, and risky cycling behaviors among young people. A sample of 448 cyclists (mean age of 20.37 years) completed the questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling were utilized. The YCBQ had a clear factorial structure, items with high factor loadings, and good internal consistency. The five‐factor structure included traffic violations, impulsive behaviors, ordinary violations, distractions, and errors. Risky cycling behaviors could be explained by gender, age, perceived risk, and perceived cycling skills, with the model explaining 37% of the variance. Gender had the greatest impact on risky cycling behaviors; male individuals were more likely to engage in risky behaviors. Young cyclists with higher levels of perceived risk had lower probabilities of engaging in risky cycling behaviors. Cyclists with lower scores on perceived cycling skills were more likely to report engaging in risky cycling behaviors. Age significantly explained risky behaviors; the younger the cyclist was, the higher his or her risky behaviors score. This research provides a theoretical foundation for the prevention of risky behaviors among young cyclists. Regarding intervention design, attention to the identified gender differences, the need to strengthen the ability to perceive risk, and the importance of road safety education for young cyclists may promote safer cycling.
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Background and Objectives: During intense training periods, there is a high need to monitor the external and especially the internal training load in order to fine-tune the training process and to ...avoid overreaching or overtraining. However, data on stress reactions, especially of biomarkers, to high training loads in children and youth are rare. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the training load of youth athletes during a training camp using a multilevel approach. Materials and Methods: Six trained youth male cyclists performed a 7-day preseason training camp. To investigate the internal training load, every morning, minimally invasive “point-of-care testing” (POCT) devices were used to analyze the following biomarkers: creatine kinase (CK), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), albumin (Alb), bilirubin (Bil), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total protein (TP). Additionally, data of training load measures (HR: heart rate, RPE: rating of perceived exertion, sRPE: session-RPE, TRIMP: training impulse, intensity (RPE:HR), and load (sRPE:TRIMP) ratios), self-perception (person’s perceived physical state, questionnaires on muscle soreness, and sleep quality), and measures of the autonomic nervous system (resting heart rate, heart rate variability) were collected. Two days before and after the training camp, subjects performed performance tests (Graded Exercise Test, Wingate Anaerobic Test, Counter Movement Jump). Results: Primarily, the biomarkers CK, BUN, and Alb, as well as the self-perception showed moderate to large load-dependent reactions during the 7-day training camp. The biomarkers returned to baseline values two days after the last training session. Power output at lactate threshold showed a small increase, and no changes were found for other performance parameters. Conclusions: The study suggests that a multilevel approach is suitable to quantify the internal training load and that different parameters can be used to control the training process. The biomarkers CK, BUN, and Alb are suitable for objectively quantifying the internal training load. The self-perception provides additional subjective information about the internal training load.
Purpose: to establish generalized regularities of the cumulative impact of training the formation of a "functional base" in the dynamics of body growth and development. Material & methods: 263 young ...athletes (79 kayakers, 88 canoeists, 96 cyclists) of different ages (12-20 years) and sports qualification were examined. The studies were conducted from 2010 to 2017. The tests were performed at rest after an overnight fast and under different modes of strenuous muscular work on a cycle ergometer, as well as in natural training conditions. A complex technique was used to determine the level of functional fitness. It included the registration of the main parameters of gas exchange, external respiration, blood, the cardiovascular system at maximum one-minute and stepwise loads, at standard load and work at a critical power level, performed on a cycle ergometer attachment to a bike or a rowing machine. Results: After 15-16 years the increase of special work capacity and efficiency of the respiratory system is accompanied by a decrease in the specific weight of development of the power of functional systems and their mobility. At the same time, a natural tendency to increase stability, economy, and degree of realization of gas transport system capacities is noted. The later the specific weight of power and mobility factors in the total efficiency of the respiratory system decreases, the greater the final level of its development in the dynamics of long-term training. The combination of high training loads, the process of enhanced body growth and development can earlier than usual realize the development potential of the respiratory system. Thus it can be argued that the way of the respiratory system adaptation of young athletes in the process of long-term training should be channeled into creating optimal conditions for stimulation of maximum functional reactions of the process of oxygen delivery to working organs. In this case, a directed deepening of the tendency to tolerate ("endure") a lack of oxygen and an excess of underoxidized metabolic products should be avoided (up to the age of 17-18 years). Oxygen debt accumulation and internal environment shifts should be used only in those working conditions and to the extent that they are an additional stimulus for maximizing functional responses. Conclusions: The degree of response sensitivity decrease reflects an increase in the potential of the respiratory system reserve capacity. The decrease in functional reactivity reflects the degree of the respiratory system potential realization. It is understood as a possibility of its efficiency further increase as a result of training at the given level of system potential. Such criteria in case of their further applied development allow approaching the quantitative estimation of such hardly quantifiable factors, as a degree of system potential realization, reserve capacities for deepening the influence of the further training on the respiratory system. Deviations from optimal training regimes (based on the notions of great plasticity of the growing body, lesser reliability of functional systems) in the presence of "sensitive" periods of development, have a great and yet insufficiently clear mechanism of negative significance for the complete realization of the respiratory system potential of the body by a mature age.
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Background and Study Aim. The use of blood parameters in monitoring athletes is an essential but an unstandardized component of managing athletic preparation. This study aims to describe and evaluate ...typical measurements and responses observed while monitoring elite cyclist during a training camp. The reported observations might contribute in constituting a scientific support for other practitioners to employ. Material and Methods. 35 elite cyclists from the Algerian National team aged 16 – 23 years participated in this study. Peripheral fasting blood samples were collected in resting after 24 hrs of physical inactivity and outside competitions. Complete blood count (CBC) and hormonal index values (Cortisol, Testosterone, Probnp and TnT) were tested twice before and after the training camp. The statistical data were analysed by the SPSS software version 22.0. Results. The observed rates of change were significant (p<0,01, p<0,05) for most erythrocyte variables, except for leukocyte and platelet distribution levels. Hormonal values recorded for Troponin (↓92,78%, p=0,000) and Cortisol (↓11,85%, p=0,000) remained significantly as an anticipatory response to competition. The responses of the ProBnp and testosterone were not statistically significant and experienced a different response with regards to their kinetics. Conclusion. This study is further support suggesting a viable approach to monitoring physical performance index in elite athletes. The results imply that reducing volume while increasing intensity of training just before competition can enhance performance during short preparation periods.
Lithuanian young cyclists are the winners of various international road cycling events, however, metodic of their preparation, change of their body development, as well as of body and functional ...capacity indices during yearly training cycle have been of little investigation yet. To have as many as possible objective criteria, helping to ensure a more fluent optimization of road cyclists’ training process and observation of change in their preparedness, it is relevant to carry out investigation on basic features of preparedness and training sessions, so that later on this data would be of use in improving preparation of young road cyclists. The aim of the work was to carry out analysis on young road cyclists’ preparation, change in their body and functional capacities in yearly training cycle, and to provide the summarized results. The results of the research highlighted good preparation of young Lithuanian cyclists in organizational aspect. Training load in yearly cycle reached 1 213 hours, work on road compiled 1006 hours, work on special cycle ergo meter – 118 hours, and 156 hours were allocated for general preparation. In one year, young athletes participated in 437 training sessions, and during them they overcame 22 115 km by bicycle. Muscle power indices of the investigated when performing short duration work did not experience change during the period of investigation. Thus typical for road cyclists feature was evidenced, confirming the fact that such physical ability is not characteristic to road cyclists. Young cyclists’ indices of special working capacity and indices of blood respiratory system functional capacity used to increase significantly in yearly training cycle. The cyclists, who participated in our research, were successful at Lithuanian and international competitions. The athletes’ demonstrated results testimony the appropriately balanced program of their training, and the progress of the athletes’ body and functional power during yearly training cycle. This allows presuming that these athletes have favorable perspectives to perfect their mastershipp in future.
Rodríguez-Marroyo, JA, Pernía, R, Cejuela, R, García-López, J, Llopis, J, and Villa, JG. Exercise intensity and load during different races in youth and junior cyclists. J Strength Cond Res ...25(2)511-519, 2011-This study analyzed and compared the exercise intensity exerted by Youth and Junior cyclists in single-day and stage races. Heart rate was measured during the races and categorized according to 3 intensity zonesZ1 (below the ventilatory threshold VT), Z2 (between the VT and the respiratory compensation threshold RCT), and Z3 (above the RCT). The training impulse (TRIMP) was calculated by multiplying the sum of the time spent in each zone by 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Time spent in Z1, Z2, and daily TRIMP were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in Junior than in Youth in both single-day races (21.6 ± 1.9 min vs. 14.8 ± 1.6 min, 55.4 ± 2.3 min vs. 34.7 ± 1.9 min, and 257 ± 6 vs. 194 ± 6, respectively) and stage races (49.2 ± 3.4 min vs. 23.5 ± 4.7 min, 51.2 ± 2.6 min vs. 35.3 ± 3.7 min, and 201 ± 10 vs. 147 ± 7, respectively). In Youth and Junior, time and percentage time spent in Z3 and daily TRIMP were also significantly higher (p < 0.05) in single-day races (39.0 ± 1.9 min, 40.2 ± 1.9% and 225 ± 7) than in stage races (13.9 ± 1.8 min, 15.2 ± 1.8% and 174 ± 8). In conclusion, the present study showed that races in both Youth and Junior categories are highly demanding and that their intensity and exercise load are related to the total race duration.
To assess, the degree of adequacy to Mediterranean Diet (MD), by young cyclists team, and its comparison with the one of young Spanish males of the "enKID study".
Now days it has been observed that, ...the abandoning of the MD, together with sedentary lifestyle, provokes a rapid increase of obesity among the Spanish youth. The progressive abandoning of the MD was firstly evident, in longitudinal studies of the "seven counties", involving active rural populations in Italy.
The Mediterranean Adequacy Index (MAI), is computed by dividing the sum of the percentage of total energy from typical Mediterranean food Groups (Cereals, Legumes, Fruits, Fish), by the sum of the percentage of total energy from non-typical Mediterranean food groups (Meats, Eggs, Cookies, industrial dishes). The collective under the study was 45 young cyclists in the area of Madrid, and homologous young Spanish males of the "enKID study".
The average value of MAI of the collective of male cyclists was 2,31(modest value); and the MAI of homologous young males of the "enKID study" is 1.51 (low value). The MAI in Italy several decades ago was 7.2 (very good), when the adequacy to the MD was high; Those results demonstrate that unfortunately the Spanish young people are abandoning the adherence to the Mediterranean Diet. Around 20% of the cyclists have almost null adequacy to the MD, as their MAI was 1.08 (very low value). The quality of the diet Index(DQI) of the cyclists team was 67 over 100, which means that their diet was "good, but it needs to be improved". The lipid profile (measured by the cocient of intake of MUFA and PUFA divided by SFA) of the cyclists team was 1,71 (lower than the recommended value which should be > 2), quite similar to the cocient of homologous young males of the enKID study Diet which was 1,69. This illustrates the poor lipid profile of young people diets.
Spanish youth are abandoning the traditional MD. Therefore there is an urgent need to organize Educational campaigns among the youth, their parents, teachers, and coaches in order to reverse this situation, in order to recover the healthy MD lifestyle. The adherence tot the traditional MD (rich in vegetable, fruits, fish, nuts, and olive oil), together with prhysical activity, contributes to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and obesity.
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Objective: To assess, the degree of adequacy to Mediterranean Diet (MD), by young cyclists team, and its comparison with the one of young Spanish males of the "enKID study". Background: Now days it ...has been observed that, the abandoning of the MD, together with sedentary lifestyle, provokes a rapid increase of obesity among the Spanish youth. The progressive abandoning of the MD was firstly evident, in longitudinal studies of the "seven counties", involving active rural populations in Italy. Methods: The Mediterranean Adequacy Index (MAI), is computed by dividing the sum of the percentage of total energy from typical Mediterranean food Groups (Cereals, Legumes, Fruits, Fish), by the sum of the percentage of total energy from non-typical Mediterranean food groups (Meats, Eggs, Cookies, industrial dishes). The collective under the study was 45 young cyclists in the area of Madrid, and homologous young Spanish males of the "enKID study". Results: The average value of MAI of the collective of male cyclists was 2,31(modest value); and the MAI of homologous young males of the "enKID study" is 1.51 (low value). The MAI in Italy several decades ago was 7.2 (very good), when the adequacy to the MD was high; Those results demonstrate that unfortunately the Spanish young people are abandoning the adherence to the Mediterranean Diet. Around 20% of the cyclists have almost null adequacy to the MD, as their MAI was 1.08 (very low value). The quality of the diet Index(DQI) of the cyclists team was 67 over 100, which means that their diet was "good, but it needs to be improved". The lipid profile (measured by the cocient of intake of MUFA and PUFA divided by SFA) of the cyclists team was 1,71 (lower than the recommended value which should be > 2), quite similar to the cocient of homologous young males of the enKID study Diet which was 1,69. This illustrates the poor lipid profile of young people diets. Discussion and conclusions: Spanish youth are abandoning the traditional MD. Therefore there is an urgent need to organize Educational campaigns among the youth, their parents, teachers, and coaches in order to reverse this situation, in order to recover the healthy MD lifestyle. The adherence tot the traditional MD (rich in vegetable, fruits, fish, nuts, and olive oil), together with prhysical activity, contributes to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and obesity.Objetivo: Determinar el grado de adhesión a la dieta mediterránea (DM), de un grupo de jóvenes ciclistas y del colectivo de jóvenes homólogos del estudio enKID. Introducción: Actualmente de observa con frecuencia que el abandono de los hábitos de vida saludable representado por la DM y el ejercicio físico, tiene como consecuencia el incremento rápido de la obesidad entre los jóvenes españoles. Este abandono se evidenció en primer lugar, al analizar los estudios longitudinales de los "siete países", en poblaciones rurales de Italia y de otros seis países. Métodos: Determinación del Índice de adhesión a la DM (IAM), que se calcula dividiendo el porcentaje de la energía consumida de los grupos de alimentos típicos de la DM (Cereales, Legumbres, Frutos, Pescado), por el porcentaje de la energía consumida de los grupos de alimentos que no suelen ser de la DM (Carnes, Huevos, Bollería, platos pre-cocinados). Colectivo formado por 45 jóvenes ciclistas y jóvenes varones del estudio "enKID". Resultados: La media del IAM del colectivo ciclista fue de 2,31(valor modesto) y la media del IAM del colectivo "en KID" fue de 1.51 (valor bajo, a mejorar); mientras que la media del IAM del colectivo rural de Italia hace cuatro décadas fue de 7.2 (valor muy alto, que fue decreciendo con el paso del tiempo). Estos resultados confirman desgraciadamente el abandono progresivo de la DM especialmente entre los jóvenes españoles. Hasta un 20% de los ciclistas no siguen en absoluto la DM, dado que su IAM solamente fue de 1,08, que es muy bajo. El índice de calidad de la dieta (ICD) del equipo ciclista fue de 67 sobre 100, es decir "buena, pero que necesita mejorar" El Perfil lipídico, medido por el cociente cantidad de (Ácidos grasos poli-insaturados mas los mono- insaturados) dividido por cantidad de Ácidos grasos saturados, de los ciclistas fue de 1,71 (mientras que el valor recomendado es de > 2); en el colectivo del estudio "enKID" de jóvenes homólogos fue de 1,69. Esto indica el bajo valor del perfil lipídico en la dieta de los jóvenes. Discusión y conclusiones: Este trabajo muestra el progresivo abandono de la DM por parte de los jóvenes. Es pues urgente organizar campañas educacionales entre jóvenes, padres y entrenadores/profesores. La adherencia a la tradicional DM (rica en vegetales, legumbres, verduras, frutos secos y aceite de oliva), junto con el ejercicio físico, previene las enfermedades cardiovasculares y la obesidad.
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