The club is currently in the process of arranging a series of visits to St Mary’s University in Twickenham. These sessions are to visit the “Centre for Health, Applied Sport and Exercise Science”. We are looking at arranging demonstration events and lectures covering training and nutrition.
The first session which is a “Practical Laboratory Session” has been arranged for Saturday July 4th, from 11am to 1pm. Unfortunately, we can only take 20 riders for this visit, and are limiting this to riders in the Silver 2, Gold or Gold Plus squads. If you are a mountain biker to the level (if in doubt, ask your Coaches), you are also VERY welcome. There is no minimum age limit, so as long as you are in one of the above groups, and are a budding Sports Scientist, please do register your interest as we hope that we can make available other opportunities with the University in the near future.
We have arranged for you to take part in:
A Submaximal Test – 16 min incremental cycling with Heart Rate and Gas Analysis. The students shall work in groups of 4-5 during this test. Each student has a particular role during the test in order to administer the protocol successfully. After the test, the subject’s expired gas is analysed and the results of the test are discussed. It will consist of:
- 16 minutes continuous cycling – 4 x 4 minute stages
- The intensity is increased by 0.2kg (16 watts) at the start of each 4 minute stage
- During the final 30 s of each stage the students collect the subject’s exhaled breath using a mouthpiece and Douglas Bags
- The subject’s HR is monitored throughout and recorded during the final 30 s of each stage
A Maximal Test – Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT). This test involves maximal cycling for 30 s (full test) and gives a measure of peak power and mean power output which are used to assess the subject’s anaerobic power and capacity. You will be required to do:
- 3-5 minute warm-up on a Monark cycle
- Wingate test (30 s) performed on a Lode cycle ergometer (electromagnetically braked), which is one of the most accurate ergometers to perform this test on
- After the test the subject performs a 3-5 minute cool down on a Monark ergometer
During the visit, some of you will fulfill the role of the subject, and will be on the bike. Others will be expected to be “the sports scientist” and will assist in carrying out the experiment.
In addition to the above tests, the University staff will provide a Blood Demonstration, showing how blood lactate is measured. This involves a member of staff taking a capillary blood sample from one of your coaches, as is routinely done during maximal and sub-maximal exercise tests in the laboratory.
The cost of the session has been subsidised by Slipstreamers to just £10 per rider and payment must be made in advance. You will have to make your own way to and from the University. We will hold a draw for the riders who will be chosen to be the “guinea pigs” for the experiments.
Please book your place with the sign-on team.