Cycling through the ranks: a cross-sectional analysis of endurance, strength and body composition indicators in junior, elite, and amateur competitive road cyclists.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was to compare different performance indicators, encompassing endurance, body composition, and maximal and explosive strength markers, among competitive Lithuanian cyclists across different age and performance categories. METHODS: Thirty Lithuanian male cyclists in elite (EL, N.=10), amateur (AM, N.=10), and junior (JU, N.=10) categories underwent body composition analysis, knee extensors' isometric strength and ultrasound measurements, maximal incremental exercise tests, cycling efficiency protocol, and sprint performance evaluations. Additionally, competition results and power profiles were analyzed. RESULTS: EL cyclists had greater experience and higher annual kilometers (P<0.05). Quadriceps muscle size exhibited significant differences, being greater in EL than JU (P<0.05), whereas no noteworthy variations were observed in body fat or isometric strength. EL athletes demonstrated higher maximal oxygen consumption, maximal aerobic power, and sprint performance compared to JU and AM, particularly when considering absolute power metrics (P<0.05). Interestingly, despite JU achieving lower ranks in competitions, power profiles differed minimally between EL and JU. Furthermore, both JU and AM expended more energy during competitions (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights disparities among Lithuanian cyclists, with EL cyclists showcasing advantages in endurance capacity and better competition outcomes, possibly due to their extensive experience, leading to a more efficient energy utilization. This research enhances our understanding of the multifaceted nature of the sport performance within the realm of Lithuanian cycling.

El trabajo y sus repercusiones en la salud. El modelo / Work and its repercussions on health. The effort-reward imbalance model

Los compromisos de nuestra vida social, incluidos los laborales, están basados en un principio de reciprocidad entre lo que invertimos en las actividades compartidas y las recompensas recibidas como contrapartida. Los fallos en la reciprocidad en términos de altos esfuerzos y bajas recompensas provocan fuertes emociones negativas y una respuesta asociada de estrés. El modelo "Desequilibrio Esfuerzo-Recompensa-DER" ha sido desarrollado para identificar condiciones de fallo de reciprocidad en los compromisos sociales ­con especial atención al mundo laboral­ y para predecir reducciones del bienestar y aumento de susceptibilidad a la enfermedad como consecuencias de tal exposición. Este trabajo describe los fundamentos teóricos de este modelo y su medición. Además, recopila evidencias científicas de los efectos adversos en la salud de tal desequilibrio y se discuten las implicaciones sanitarias de estas nuevas evidencias

All major contracts in social life, including work contracts, are based on the principle of reciprocity between the efforts invested in cooperative activities and the gains received in return. Failed reciprocity in terms of high effort and low gain elicits strong negative emotions and associated stress responses. The model of Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) has been developed to identify conditions of failed reciprocity in social contracts, with a particular focus on work, and to predict reduced well being and increased susceptibility to illness as a consequence of this imbalance. The present article describes the theoretical foundation of this model and its measurement. Empirical evidence on the adverse effects on health of IRE is summarized and the implications for healthcare of this new evidence are discussed