Inverse relationship between VO2max and economy/efficiency in world-class cyclists

Purpose: To determine the relationship that exists between V(overdot)O-2max and cycling economy/efficiency during intense, submaximal exercise in world-class road professional cyclists. Methods: Each of 11 male cyclists (26 +/- 1 yr (mean +/- SEM); V(overdot)(2max): 72.0 +/- 1.8 mL.kg(-1).min(-1)) performed: 1) a ramp test for V(overdot)O-2max determination and 2) a constant-load test of 20-min duration at the power output eliciting 80% of subjects' V(overdot)O-2max during the previous ramp test (mean power output of 385 +/- 7 W). Cycling economy (CE) and gross mechanical efficiency (GE) were calculated during the constant-load tests. Results: CE and GE averaged 85.2 +/- 2.3 W.L-1.min(-1) and 24.5 +/- 0.7%, respectively. An inverse, significant correlation was found between 1) V(overdot)O-2max (mL.kg(-0.32).min(-1)) and both CE (r = -0.71; P = 0.01) and GE (-0.72; P = 0.01), and 2) V(overdot)O-2max (mL.kg(-1).min(-1)) and both CE (r = -0.65; P = 0.03) and GE (-0.64; P = 0.03). Conclusions: A high CE/GE seems to compensate for a relatively low V(overdot)O-2max in professional cyclists.