ABSTRACT
A significant and major determinant for success in cycling is the ability of the athlete to generate high levels of cardiac output (Q) during exercise and hence high levels of aerobic power[1]. These increases in Q are thought to be sustained primarily through increases in stroke volume[2]. With the refinement of nuclear and Doppler echocardiography it is possible to determine more accurately cardiovascular responses during exercise. A growing number of young cyclists are involved in high level training and competition[3], hence, it is worthwhile to investigate the extent to which long-term training and/or genetic factors (i.e. pre-selection) can influence cardiovascular responses during exercise and attempt to determine the cardiovascular basis for the superior peak https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> V ˙ O 2 https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781315025001/ca0a1b50-16e7-4532-9e85-fe2cd38f2327/content/inline-eqn703_B.tif" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/> seen in these young athletes[4]. This study compared cardiorespiratory and echocardiographic findings at submaximal and peak exercise intensity in a group of elite junior cyclists to those of active, but non-trained, controls.
