Why do body weight fluctuations have such a significant impact on Zone 2 power output, and is it fair to say that riders who experience large weight swings throughout the year are at a disadvantage when it comes to maintaining consistent performance levels.
It seems counterintuitive that a rider who can maintain a high Zone 2 power output at a certain weight, would see such a significant drop off in performance when they gain a few kilos, especially if their overall fitness level remains the same. Is the relationship between body weight and power output really that sensitive, or are there other factors at play that were not considering.
Furthermore, what does this mean for riders who are trying to optimize their performance for a specific event or competition. Should they be focusing on maintaining a consistent weight throughout the year, or is it better to prioritize overall fitness and let the weight fluctuations take care of themselves.
Its also worth considering the impact that this has on riders who are naturally heavier or lighter than their competitors. Is it fair to say that theyre at a disadvantage from the start, simply because of their body composition. Or are there ways that they can adapt their training and nutrition strategies to mitigate the effects of their weight on their performance.
Ultimately, it seems like theres a lot that we dont understand about the relationship between body weight and power output, and its something that warrants further exploration and discussion.