Curry, B., Hollander, D. B., Jeansonne, J. J., Wood, R., Hebert, E. P., & Kraemer, R. R. (2007). Comparisons of models of cognitive strategies during a cycling maximal test and simulated time trial. ACSM Annual Meeting New Orleans, Presentation Number 2265.

This study evaluated effort-related attention model and cognitive strategy classification scheme in a maximal and time trial cycle task. Cyclists (M = 5; F = 3) performed a maximal ergometer cycling trial at 70 rpm with an increase of 210 kilopond meters/min every two minutes until exhaustion. Cognitive strategy, OMNI-RPE, minute VO2, and heart rate were recorded every two minutes. Next, a simulated time trial on rollers, with power meters was performed in two groups (each N = 4). Cognitive strategies, OMNI-RPE, and heart rate recorded every five minutes for the 30-minute exercise.

Significant attention narrowing to association with increases in RPE and heart rate while cognitive strategies demonstrated an inverse relation with time were revealed. The model accounted for a moderate but significant amount of variance in both the maximal and time. Interview data revealed that non-experienced cyclists dealt with discomfort of cycling differently. Additionally, the experienced cyclists demonstrated cognitive strategy changes at similar relative time points (variance of 3%) compared to non-experienced cyclists (variance of 24%) across trials.

Implication. The effort-related attention model was supported as RPE and HR increased across time/intensity and attention narrowed to association. Experienced cyclists appeared to use situation management to consistently apply cognitive strategies.

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