The cycling power profile characteristics of national level junior triathletes

With the draft-legal rule recently introduced to junior triathlon competition, it has become difficult to assess cycling performance through race results. Therefore, this study assessed the cycling power profile characteristics of national level junior triathletes to assist with physical assessment and program design. Thirteen male (17.0 ± 1.0 yr) and eleven female (17.2 ± 1.3 yr) national level junior triathletes completed a cycling power profile that consisted of maximal intervals that lasted 6, 15, 30, 60, 240 and 600 seconds in duration. Each power profile was completed on a LeMond ergometer using the subject's own bicycle, with power output and cadence recorded for all intervals. Mean power output values for males (783 ± 134, 768 ± 118, 609 ± 101, 470 ± 65, 323 ± 38, 287 ± 34 W) were significantly (P