Power to heart rate ratio as a metric to optimize altitude training in professional cyclists
- 1Research and Expertise in anti-Doping Sciences (REDs), Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- 2Swiss Federal Institute of Sport (SFISM), Magglingen, Switzerland
- 3Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
Abstract
Hematological and physiological variations were assessed during an altitude training camp in professional cyclists, with precise training load monitoring. External to internal training load ratio defined as power output (W) per heartbeat (bpm) (W/HR) was investigated as a novel metric pertaining altitude acclimatization and training camp response. Nineteen male professional cyclists participated in a 3-week Live-High Train-Low (LHTL) camp. Blood samples were collected to assess hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]), hematocrit (HCT), reticulocyte percentage (RET%), and immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF). Total hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) and plasma volume (PV) were measured upon arrival (pre-) and on the last day (post-) at altitude. Training load was monitored across the camp with power output (W), duration (min), heart rate (HR, bpm), and total work (W; kJ) recorded. W/HR was computed from each session’s average W and HR. From Pre- to Post-, Hbmass increased by 3.7% (p < 0.001), while PV decreased by 4.4% (p < 0.05). [Hb], HCT, RET%, and IRF were elevated (+4.1%; +6.2%; +31.0%; and +50.0%; respectively). Training load increased progressively from the lead-in phase to the second week (+68%; +83%; respectively). W/HR decreased by 11% (p < 0.01) at the onset of the hypoxic exposure before improving gradually again. W/HR in normoxia was 7% higher post-camp compared to the lead in phase (p < 0.01). Overall, the altitude training elicited positive hematological adaptations in professional cyclists. The increase in W/HR after the camp could suggest an enhanced cardiovascular efficiency and/or peripheral oxygen utilization. W/HR may represent a pertinent metric beyond Hbmass with its concomitant response to altitude and training stimuli.
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BibTeX
@article{moreillon2026power,
title = {{Power to heart rate ratio as a metric to optimize altitude training in professional cyclists}},
author = {Basile Moreillon and Bastien Krumm and Lena Mettraux and Julian Wackernell and James Spragg and Martin Faulhaber and Raphael Faiss},
journal = {Biology of Sport},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.5114/biolsport.2026.162049},
url = {https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.162049},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Power to heart rate ratio as a metric to optimize altitude training in professional cyclists
AU - Basile Moreillon
AU - Bastien Krumm
AU - Lena Mettraux
AU - Julian Wackernell
AU - James Spragg
AU - Martin Faulhaber
AU - Raphael Faiss
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/27
JO - Biology of Sport
DO - 10.5114/biolsport.2026.162049
UR - https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.162049
AB - Hematological and physiological variations were assessed during an altitude training camp in professional cyclists, with precise training load monitoring. External to internal training load ratio defined as power output (W) per heartbeat (bpm) (W/HR) was investigated as a novel metric pertaining altitude acclimatization and training camp response. Nineteen male professional cyclists participated in a 3-week Live-High Train-Low (LHTL) camp. Blood samples were collected to assess hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]), hematocrit (HCT), reticulocyte percentage (RET%), and immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF). Total hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) and plasma volume (PV) were measured upon arrival (pre-) and on the last day (post-) at altitude. Training load was monitored across the camp with power output (W), duration (min), heart rate (HR, bpm), and total work (W; kJ) recorded. W/HR was computed from each session’s average W and HR. From Pre- to Post-, Hbmass increased by 3.7% (p < 0.001), while PV decreased by 4.4% (p < 0.05). [Hb], HCT, RET%, and IRF were elevated (+4.1%; +6.2%; +31.0%; and +50.0%; respectively). Training load increased progressively from the lead-in phase to the second week (+68%; +83%; respectively). W/HR decreased by 11% (p < 0.01) at the onset of the hypoxic exposure before improving gradually again. W/HR in normoxia was 7% higher post-camp compared to the lead in phase (p < 0.01). Overall, the altitude training elicited positive hematological adaptations in professional cyclists. The increase in W/HR after the camp could suggest an enhanced cardiovascular efficiency and/or peripheral oxygen utilization. W/HR may represent a pertinent metric beyond Hbmass with its concomitant response to altitude and training stimuli.
SN - 0860-021X
SN - 2083-1862
ER -