The Sustained Aerobic Activity vs. Max Aerobic Power of Runners Compared to Cyclists By: Jesse Goodrich Valerie Ward Monarch High School

Research Question How does the threshold vs. maximum aerobic power output compare in cyclists and runners on bike ergometers?

Hypothesis If the maximum aerobic power and threshold of a group of cyclists and a group of runners are compared, then the cyclists will have a higher threshold wattage but the runners will have a higher maximum aerobic power in comparison to their thresholds.

Background Threshold is the point in exercise when lactate accumulates faster than the body can clear it which causes the onset of muscle fatigue This is the point in which the body switches from aerobic to anaerobic respiration

Background According to research, excess calcium may produce deficiencies in magnesium and potassium. Deficiencies in magnesium could affect photosynthesis and deficiencies in potassium could affect the osmotic balance and turgor pressure of the plant’s cells. During aerobic exercise, both glycolysis and the Krebs cycle depicted in the previous slide occur. However, once the body switches to anaerobic respiration and the body can only complete gycolysis. The Pyruvate molecules produced by glycolysis then go through fermentation producing lactate. The most accurate way to test lactic threshold is through a series of blood tests taken during period of exercise.

Methods Once a group of runners and a group of cyclists were recruited we had both groups complete a 10k time trial in the indoor cycling ergometer at Boulder Center for Sports Medicine. From there an approximate threshold wattage value for each individual was calculated and used to create a maximum aerobic power workout based on this threshold wattage data.

Methods Once the maximum aerobic power workout was created, both groups completed this workout and when the athlete’s cadence fell below 50% of where it started, the athlete was stopped. The percent of threshold in which this occurred was the athlete’s maximum aerobic power

Data & Analysis SubjectTime 116:02 215:07 316:32 416:37 Average16:04 Cyclists SubjectTime 117:39 217:14 318:21 Average17:50 Runners Ttest:.0176

Data & Analysis Ttest value:.008

Data & Analysis Maximum Aerobic Power Cyclist % aerobic cut offRunner % aerobic cut off Average153Average157 Standard Deviation9.57 Standard Deviation20.8 Ttest Value: 0.771

Conclusions It was definitive from the T-tests that we ran that there was a significant difference between the two groups of athletes when comparing both their times and their threshold wattage data. This was predicted because the both groups of athletes were tested on bikes.

Conclusions The maximum aerobic power data, however, did not show a significant deviation between the two groups. For this reason we were unable to reach any verifiable conclusions about the maximum aerobic power of runners versus cyclists and further testing and larger subject groups would be needed.

Further Research Now that preliminary results have been compiled and analyzed, we further know the flaws of our experimental procedure. If we were to complete further tests we would use a larger subject group, use either endurance athletes or sprinters, and complete more tests to account for natural variation in athletic performance.

Special Thanks Thanks to Lester and Neal at the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine for letting us use the facilities and helping us develop our experiment. Thanks to Mrs. Donley for helping us through all of our problems. Thanks to Mr. Vass for helping us figure out what direction to go.

Bibliography Aalberg, John, and Torbjorn Karlsen. "Determining Max Heart Rate, Anaerobic Threshold, and Training Zones." Faster Skier. 27 June Oct "How To Determine Lactate / Anaerobic Threshold." Sports Fitness Advisor Sporting Excellence Limited. 4 Nov Karp, Jason R. "Heart Rate Training for Improved Running Performance." Track Coach. 12 Oct Marieb, Elaine N. Human Anatomy and Physiology. 5th ed. San Francisco, CA: Benjamin Cummings, Quinn, Elizabeth. "Lactate Threshold Training." About.com. 25 Jan The New York Times Company. 12 Oct

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