This project aims to identify the effect of a 3-week grand tour (e.g. Tour de France) on physiological markers and the blood proteome in world-class cyclists.
Blood samples will be collected in world-tour cyclists in the fasted state (i) before, (ii) on the first resting day, (ii) on the second resting day, and (iv) on the final day of the Tour de France. Samples collected before and on the final day will be analyzed by proteomics, while sample from all timepoints will be assessed for specific cytokines to identify physiological markers of fatigue. In addition, questionnaires will be used to evaluate subjective feelings of fatigue and appetite.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
7
Participating in the Tour de France as cyclist
KU Leuven
Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium
Serum proteome abundance of cyclists during Tour de France
Change in serum proteome between start and end of Tour de France
Time frame: Start of the Tour de France (day 0) - last day of the Tour de France (day 23)
Serum GDF15 (Growth and differentiation factor 15) concentration
Serum GDF15 throughout the grand tour
Time frame: Start of the Tour de France (day 0) - restday 1 (day 11) - restday 2 (day 17) - last day of the Tour de France (day 23)
Blood haemoglobin concentration
Haematological profile of cyclists
Time frame: Start of the Tour de France (day 0) - restday 1 (day 11) - restday 2 (day 17) - last day of the Tour de France (day 23)
Serum Leptin concentration
Serum leptin
Time frame: Start of the Tour de France (day 0) - restday 1 (day 11) - restday 2 (day 17) - last day of the Tour de France (day 23)
Red blood cell concentration
Red blood cells
Time frame: Start of the Tour de France (day 0) - restday 1 (day 11) - restday 2 (day 17) - last day of the Tour de France (day 23)
White blood cell concentration
White blood cells
Time frame: Start of the Tour de France (day 0) - restday 1 (day 11) - restday 2 (day 17) - last day of the Tour de France (day 23)
Serum ghrelin concentration
Blood ghrelin
Time frame: Start of the Tour de France (day 0) - restday 1 (day 11) - restday 2 (day 17) - last day of the Tour de France (day 23)
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Serum FGF21 (fibroblast growth factor 21) concentration
Blood FGF21
Time frame: Start of the Tour de France (day 0) - restday 1 (day 11) - restday 2 (day 17) - last day of the Tour de France (day 23)
Serum free BDNF (brain-derived neutrophic factor) concentration
Blood BDNF
Time frame: Start of the Tour de France (day 0) - restday 1 (day 11) - restday 2 (day 17) - last day of the Tour de France (day 23)