Study of Lance in Applied Physiology by Dr. Coyle

Gives you an idea of how fast/how much improvement some of us "bigger" riders could make if we'd ever get around to giving up the beer and pizza--assuming we kept the same muscles and all, that is.... 😄 😄 😄

martin_j001 said:

Gives you an idea of how fast/how much improvement some of us "bigger" riders could make if we'd ever get around to giving up the beer and pizza--assuming we kept the same muscles and all, that is.... 😄 😄 😄

ha ha. I have 8lbs I'd like to get rid of before the Tour de Tucson this year.😄

Do these findings in anyway discredit the drug usage issue? or at least point to the lack thereof?

Rudy said:

Do these findings in anyway discredit the drug usage issue? or at least point to the lack thereof?

Rudy. Personally I think they do. At least in my mind anyway. I look at it like this, Lance has never tested positive for a banned substance and is tested all of the time. Some will say the testing doesn't cover everything, and I'm sure it doesn't-like most sports. True testing is expensive and probably impossible to find everything. Others will say that he has tested positive in the Tour, but the promotoers don't want to tarnish the race so they don't boot him. B.S.

Lance is different then other athletes in that he trains 100% comprehensively for the tour de France. Nutrition, training, research and developement etc. The guy is meticulous! In a nut shell he lost 20 lbs after cancer and kept the same power out put!!! That is awesome considering he was a top rider before cancer. He's the only one who truly knows yest or no. I hope not. But he's human???

azdroptop said:

Rudy. Personally I think they do. At least in my mind anyway. I look at it like this, Lance has never tested positive for a banned substance and is tested all of the time. Some will say the testing doesn't cover everything, and I'm sure it doesn't-like most sports. True testing is expensive and probably impossible to find everything. Others will say that he has tested positive in the Tour, but the promotoers don't want to tarnish the race so they don't boot him. B.S.

Lance is different then other athletes in that he trains 100% comprehensively for the tour de France. Nutrition, training, research and developement etc. The guy is meticulous! In a nut shell he lost 20 lbs after cancer and kept the same power out put!!! That is awesome considering he was a top rider before cancer. He's the only one who truly knows yest or no. I hope not. But he's human???

Just to add a little bit more:

1) Chemo destroys cells including muscle fibers...he was able to rebuild his body so that it was even MORE (if it was possible) suited to cycling. It was like starting all over again knowing exactly how you wanted to be.

2) Genetically, Lance got a good deal. His muscle fibers contain much more of the "endurance" brand. So, when he reaches the areobic threshold, his body is much more effecient at dealing with the "burn". Plus his red blood cells are more effecient at taking up oxygen add that to the fact that his heart is super human and you have a lean-mean cycling machine.. All of this is reason why he is not as good of a sprinter as some others --- different muscle fibers required.

Its a shame that so many people try to "dis" Lance (i.e. french press)...scientifically, Lance is a GREAT study of physiology and genetics. I would love to see him get involved in a genetic study, but then again --- I'm a science geek.

wondergurl said:

Just to add a little bit more:

1) Chemo destroys cells including muscle fibers...he was able to rebuild his body so that it was even MORE (if it was possible) suited to cycling. It was like starting all over again knowing exactly how you wanted to be.

2) Genetically, Lance got a good deal. His muscle fibers contain much more of the "endurance" brand. So, when he reaches the areobic threshold, his body is much more effecient at dealing with the "burn". Plus his red blood cells are more effecient at taking up oxygen add that to the fact that his heart is super human and you have a lean-mean cycling machine.. All of this is reason why he is not as good of a sprinter as some others --- different muscle fibers required.

Its a shame that so many people try to "dis" Lance (i.e. french press)...scientifically, Lance is a GREAT study of physiology and genetics. I would love to see him get involved in a genetic study, but then again --- I'm a science geek.

Yep. His ability to buffer Lactic Acid is incredibly beneficial, not to mention his higher than average max HR. The study was very cool, but I was hoping for a little more detail. I have a BS in Ex phys so I love this stuff too. 😄

I agree, an interesting read. I think what sets Lance apart is the fact that he remains totally focused on winning and trains the way he should, eats the way he should and rests the way he should. He does everything right. He has coaches and medical advisors. Obviously he has the genes as well. His drive is strong and his passion never flags. He also has the intelligence necessary to be a good racer. A lot of the Tour De France depends on strategy. He is the best at what he does.