The Effects of Simulated Competition on Repeated-sprint Cycling Performance

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Stress
• Interventions: Other: Simulated competition

• Registration Number: NCT05571475
• Lead Sponsor: St Mary's University College

Brief Summary

Sprint cycling performance has been found to be reduced when two sprints were undertaken 12 minutes apart. In a follow-up study, the investigators found evidence to suggest that some of the loss in performance that was experienced in the second sprint was due to a psychological, rather than a physiological, limitation. It is conceivable that this loss in performance would not exist during a competition. The aim of this study is, therefore, to investigate the influence that a competitive environment has on repeated-sprint performance.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2022-09-07
• Status Verified: 2022-10
• Study First Submitted QC: 2022-10-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2022-10-04
• Study First Posted: 2022-10-07
• Last Update Posted: 2022-10-07
• Study Start: 2022-10-10
• Primary Completion: 2023-07-01
• Study Completion: 2023-07-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: Male
• Target Recruitment: 16

Inclusion Criteria

• regular strength/sprint training (at least 2 sessions per week)

Exclusion Criteria

• Injured or a contraindicative medical condition

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Simulated competition	Simulated competition	During the experimental condition, the participants will be competing for a reward, will be given verbal encouragement, and will receive performance feedback.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Sprint Power Output	From baseline to completion, ~42 days	The Lode Excalibur Sport cycle ergometer records power output at 5Hz. Peak power output will be defined as the highest power output recorded. Mean power output will be calculated as the average power output over the 27 s sprint. Comparisons will be made between conditions.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
20 cm Visual Analogue Scale to Assess Anxiety	From baseline to completion, ~42 days	The scale will range from not at all anxious to very anxious. Participants will be asked to indicate how anxious they feel by place a clear mark on the scale. Measurements will be taken at rest, after the warm-up, and following the sprints. Comparisons will be made between conditions.
20 cm Visual Analogue Scale to Assess Self-efficacy	From baseline to completion, ~42 days	The scale will range from cannot do it at all to highly certain. Participants will be asked about their confidence in their ability to improve on their baseline sprint performance. Measurements will be taken just prior to each sprint. Comparison to baseline.
Sport Anxiety Scale-2 - a questionnaire to assess cognitive and somatic anxiety.	Baseline	Measured once. Correlation will performance. The response for each question carries a score of between 1 and 4. A higher number is reflective of a greater level of anxiety.
Heart-rate Variability	From baseline to completion, ~42 days	Heart-rate variability provides a measure of physiological stress. Recordings will be taken at rest, after the warm-up, and following the sprints. Comparisons will be made between conditions.
Salivary Concentration of Alpha Amylase	From baseline to completion, ~42 days	Alpha amylase is a digestive enzyme found in saliva. Alpha amylase also provides a measure of physiological stress. Recordings will be taken at rest, after the warm-up, and following the sprints. Comparisons will be made between conditions.