Seasonal Changes in Cyclists' Performance Part 11 the British Olympic Track Squad

In Part 11 of the study, the British Olympic track (sprint) squad cyclists demonstrated reductions in body fat index, % body fat and endomorphy (p > .05), increased Hb and PCV % (p > .05), and lowered HR at rest and in warm-up exercise (p > .05), but no change in leg power. Repeated interval sprints of short duration, maximal exercise on an "ergowheel" ergometer, at standardised power output, showed increased anaerobic index (p > .05) and acceleratory power (p > .01) but no change in sustained power output. Compared with "non-select" riders, a case study of the single "select" rider showed anthropometric differences in terms of lower height, weight, body fat index, % body fat and endomorphy, but enhanced mesomorphy and FEV %. Furthermore, the "select" rider demonstrated temporarily latent functional performance capabilities, in that increased anaerobic index, acceleratory and sustained power indices, as well as enhanced relative power output, were not identified until late in the competitive season.