Athletes, Cyclists
Conditions
Keywords
Competitive Cycling, Performance, Thermoregulation
Brief summary
Road cycling is a sport characterized by long, high-intensity training sessions. Cyclists train and compete in varying temperatures, which can affect their performance. Therefore, thermoregulation is a fundamental capacity in endurance sports such as cycling. Far-infrared (FIR) emitting fibers have recently been used in garments during and after exercise to modulate thermoregulation and enhance muscle recovery. Every competitive cyclist voluntarily underwent testing at a temperature-controlled laboratory after reading and signing the informed consent document. Participants were invited to three separate sessions at the laboratory. During the first session, essential personal information (name, surname, sex, age, height and weight) was recorded. In addition, an incremental test was performed on a cycle ergometer to measure VO2Max and ventilatory threshold 1 (VT1). Subsequently, they were randomly divided into two conditions: an experimental garment (EG) with FIR and a control garment (CG). Each test session consisted of 40 minutes at VT1, followed by a 5-second sprint at the end. During the test, various physiological parameters were assessed: Oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR), blood lactate, body temperature (skin and core temperature), and sensations of exertion and sweating.
Interventions
DEVICEFIR
FIR is a passive emitter composed of textile fibers integrated with bioceramics and light-emitting minerals.
DEVICEPlacebo
a similar-looking suit but without FIR
Sponsors
University of Palermo
University of Urbino "Carlo Bo"
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)
Masking description
The participants dressed in a suit with FIR (Far-Infrared) properties that looked identical to the placebo suit. The evaluators also did not know which suit was the experimental one and which was the control suit.
Intervention model description
Double-blind crossover study
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
16 Years to 18 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* competitive cyclists with at least two years of racing experience
Exclusion criteria
* No current or past traumatic or overuse injuries within the 6 months prior to the study.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Body Temperature: Skin and Core | From warm-up to the end of treatment at 1 hour | During the constant-power test at VT1 intensity, skin and core temperature were continuously recorded using Calera Research (greenTEG A.G., Rümlang, Switzerland) connected to a personal computer with dedicated software. The system is a heat-flux sensor and research device that eliminates outside environmental influences when monitoring core body temperature, and therefore delivers accurate results independent of the user's physical activity level or external conditions. The device provides access to high-resolution (1Hz) raw data including Core Temperature, Skin Temperature, Accelerometer, and Heat-Flux. |
| Heart Rate | From warm-up to the end of treatment at 1 hour | During the constant-power test at VT1 intensity, heart rate (HR) was continuously measured using a Polar H10 chest strap sensor, a device known for its measurement accuracy. The sensor was connected to the cycle ergometer software to analyze heart rate in relation to the cyclist's power output. |
| Oxygen Consumption | From warm-up to the end of treatment at 1 hour | During the constant-power test at VT1 intensity, oxygen consumption (VO₂) was measured using a metabolimeter (K5 Cosmed, Italy). Breath-by-breath analysis of exhaled gases was performed. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sprint Peak Power | After the end of treatment at 1 hour | 5-second sprints were performed at the end of the 40-minute steady-state test. To measure power output, an SRM Ergometer was used, which is capable of measuring and setting a specific power level. The system is able to maintain a specific power level by adjusting the flywheel resistance and the cyclist's cadence. |
| Rate of Perceived Exertion | From warm-up to the end of treatment at 1 hour | The modified Borg 6-20 scale for assessing perceived exertion (RPE) was used during the 40-minute constant-load exercise test at VT1. Measurements were taken continuously at 5-minute intervals throughout the test. |
Countries
Italy
Outcome results
None listed