Alternation of Physical and Functional Powers of High Performance Female BMX Cyclist during Yearly Training Cycle

Abstract

Research background and hypothesis. There is a lack of information on BMX cyclists’ training. Information
about athletes’ of this cycling event training and their organism adaptation to physical loads practically does not
exist in Lithuania. Consequently, it is relevant to reveal the main characteristics of alternation of Lithuanian high
performance international class female cyclists’ physical and functional powers. The hypothesis that physical and
functional power indices between BMX cyclist and track cyclist differ is being tested.
Research aim was to reveal characteristics of Lithuanian high performance female BMX cyclist’s physical and
functional power indices and their alteration during yearly training cycle; to compare them to analogical data of other
cycling event athletes.    
Research methods. Research of a Lithuanian BMX female cyclist (A) was organized in VPU Sport Science
Institute in 2010–2011. Research was carried out during these yearly cycle periods: preparatory (I), competition (II),
and transitional (III).
Research  results.  Physical  development  indices  were  established  and  muscular  power  in  various  energy
producing zones was analyzed. Maximal anaerobic alactate glycolytic capacity (MAAGC) with applied 30-s test
was established as well. Functional capacity of blood circulation and respiratory system was evaluated under resting
heart rate, its rate alteration after standard physical load, and after one minute recovery; under these data Roufier
index was calculated. Indices of female BMX cyclist’s physical and functional powers were compared to analogical
results of female sprint track cyclist – 200 m event World champion (B), and female track cyclist – 3 km pursuit event
World championship bronze winner (C).
Discussion and conclusions. Our analyzed BMX cyclist’s SMCP is very high and exceeds the same index
of  cyclists  in  other  various  specializations  analyzed.  However, AAMP  and  mixed  anaerobic  alactate  glycolytic
muscular power indices are insignificantly lower than analogical indices of one of the best World track sprinters.
Elite cyclist’s (C), whose part of energy, during competition period, is produced in aerobic way, functional capacity
of blood circulation system is the highest and these indices of the investigated BMX cyclist are lower than aerobic
capacity of cyclist C.

Keywords: bicycle motocross, physical development, muscular power, functional capacity.