Power Training 101
Edmund R. Burke, Ph.D.

Just as training methods changed with the advent of portable heart rate monitors, power meters are pushing the theories and methodology of endurance training into new territory. The biofeedback that power meters provide brings amazing clarity to training, if the information is interpreted well.

What Does it Take to Ride the Tour de France?
Edmund R. Burke, Ph.D.

Riding an event such as the Tour de France pushes a cyclist to extremes of athlete endurance. Lasting up to three weeks and over 4,000 km participation in a major tour requires of the cyclist an aerobic capacity for prolonged exertion and an anaerobic potential to be called upon in breakaways, hill climbing, and 'all-out' sprints. While much laboratory data has been collected over the years on professional tour cyclists, it has only been recently with the advent of power meters and heart rate monitors that we can now obtain data on the power, speed and heart rate of these athletes while racing.

Power and Heart Rate Relationships
Edmund R. Burke, Ph.D.

Just as heart rate monitors improved training performance and feedback in the 1990's, power meters are pushing the theories and performance of endurance cyclists into new territory. The biofeedback that power meters provide brings another dimension to training and racing, if the information is interpreted properly. However, blending heart rate with power makes for a more comprehensive and effective system of monitoring your training and racing program.