Competitive cyclists (N = 8) performed three sets of physiological tests over a seven-month period. Maximal tests evaluated VO2max, ventilatory threshold, maximum heart rate, heart rate at ventilatory threshold, and %VO2max at ventilatory threshold. Submaximal tests evaluated heart rate of VO2 at the end of two intervals with different workloads (150 and 350 watts). Morning resting heart rate was also monitored. There were no changes in physiological measures across time for the maximal tests. However, submaximal test heart rates did change across time. Morning resting heart rate decreased from January to July (45 to 42 bpm). Implication. Resting and submaximal task heart rates may reflect adaptations in cyclists who maintain their training mileage but increasing intensity. Maximal physiological tests are not sensitive to changes due to training.
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