Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the track records and physical abilities in elite cyclists(keirin). Methods Twenty three elite cyclists were measured height, weight, lower body circumference(thigh, calf, and ankle), basal physical abilities(grip/back muscle strength, 25m sprint, Sargent jump test, Burpee test, shuttle run test), one-repetition maximum(1RM) strength(back squat, bench press, leg curl, power clean, dead-lift, leg press), aerobic capacity(V̇O2max, METs, HRmax), and track records(200m and 500m). Stepwise multiple regression analyses were performed to investigate which physical abilities related to track records. Results A statistically significant relationship was found between 200m track records and 2 variables which were the thigh circumference and 1RM leg press(p<.05). Also, the thigh circumference and 1RM leg press were significantly related to 500m track records(p<.05). Conclusions The results showed that the thigh circumference and maximal strength were associated with the track records in elite cyclists(keirin).
PURPOSE This study aimed to compare body composition, physical fitness, maximum muscle strength, and blood lactate concentration according to the level of aerobic capacity in Keirin cyclists. METHODS Forty-four Keirin cyclists participated in this study and were divided into three groups: the top 20% VO2max group (TG, n=9), the middle 20% VO2max group (MG, n=9), and the low 20% VO2max group (LG, n=9). The study measured body composition, physical fitness, maximum muscle strength, and blood lactate concentration in Keirin cyclists. Differences between groups were determined using one-way ANOVA analysis. RESULTS Body weight, percentage of body fat, and body mass index were significantly higher in the LG than in the TG and MG. The vertical jump and maximum muscle strength were significantly higher in the TG and MG than in the LG. Additionally, blood lactate concentrations immediately after exhaustive exercise and during the 5-minute recovery periods were higher in the LG than in the TG and MG. Moreover, the time to exhaustion, HRmax and maximum power were the highest in the TG. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest new information that levels of aerobic capacity in male Keirin cyclists might be a crucial predictor of cycling performance and recovery ability.
PURPOSE This study theoretically explains the relationship between Keirin players’ core competencies and their performances. It also analyzes the impact of interaction between objectively identifiable core competencies and players’ efficiency toward their results, that is, the ability to convert their resources into performance. METHODS Using Python 3.11.1, 20,185 race records were collected of cyclists who competed at Gwangmyeong Velodrome in 2022 and 2023, and player efficiency was estimated using the R 4.3.1 package. Subsequently, the impact of players’ physical abilities (200 m records) on performance and player efficiency’s influence on the relationship between physical ability and performance were analyzed using Model 1 of PROCESS 4.1 Macro installed in SPSS 26.0. RESULTS First, players’ physical ability had a statistically significant impact on their performance. Specifically, the 200 m record significantly influenced the likelihood of finishing in the top 1 (coef = –.68 , p<.01 ), top 2 (coef = –.56, p<.01), and top 3 (coef = –.46, p<.01). Second, player efficiency moderated the relationship between players’ 200 m record and the likelihood of finishing within the top ranks. Specifically, the interaction term’s influence was empirically demonstrated between 200 m records and player efficiency on the likelihood of finishing within the top 1 (coef = –.47, p<.05), top 2 (coef = –.28, p<.05), and top 3 (coef = –.28, p<.05) for players with similar speeds, in that it significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS This study pioneers research that explains the relationship between players’ key competencies and performance based on resource-based theory, and it empirically demonstrates that player efficiency serves as a moderating variable in the relationship between key competencies and performance.
