Power Output : A Good Predictor of Mountain Biking Performance?

Researchers at the University of Tasmania, located in Tasmania, Australia, demonstrated that relative power output (the amount of power on can produce relative to his or her bodyweight) may be one of the best physiological indicators of cross-country mountain biking performance.

The purpose of this study was to document several different absolute and physiological measures and their relationship to the varying terrain found in cross-country mountain biking. Eleven male elite-level mountain bikers performed two different tests: a laboratory-based test and a 15.5km mountain bike cross-country time trial. Physiological responses taken while performing these 2 tests were then compared with one another to evaluate the best indicator of mountain-biking performance. The primary results from this study revealed that when correlated to average time-trial speed, relative power output had a correlation of .93, relative VO2max had a correlation of .8, VO2max had a correlation of .66 and maximal power had a correlation of .64.

Results from this study suggest that cross-country mountain biking training programs should focus on increasing both relative power output and relative VO2 max rather than focusing on absolute VO2 and power output. This study is also of significant importance due to the lack of acceptance of "power training" by the endurance training community.

Gregory J, Johns D, Walls J. (2007). Relative vs. absolute physiological measures as predictors of mountain bike cross-country race performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 21(1): 17-22.