Cycling Performance

Cycling performance refers to power output, speed, time trial performance, functional threshold power, aerobic/anaerobic capacity, and other skills related to success in the sport of cycling.

Quick Answer

What it is

Cycling performance refers to power output, speed, time trial performance, functional threshold power, aerobic/anaerobic capacity, and other skills related to success in the sport of cycling.

Key findings

  • Grade A: Aerobic Exercise Metrics (Caffeine)
  • Grade C: Anaerobic Capacity (Creatine)
  • Grade C: Lactate Threshold (Cordyceps)

Safety

No specific caution or interaction language was detected in the current summary/outcome notes.

ℹ️ Quick Facts

Quick Facts: Cycling Performance

  • Supplements Studied:30
  • Research Trials:66
  • Total Participants:1,664
  • Grade A Supplements:1
  • Top Supplement:Caffeine (A)
66 trials
1,664 ppts
30 supps · 177 outcomes

Evidence-Based Protocol

Supplement stack ranked by research quality

Strong Evidence

Primary Stack (Tier 1)

3-6mg/kg body weight, 30-60 min pre-ride

Adenosine antagonist that reduces perceived exertion, enhances fat oxidation, and improves endurance capacity

50 studies | 1,500 participants
6-8mmol nitrate (500ml beetroot juice) 2-3h pre-exercise

Increases nitric oxide production, improving oxygen efficiency and reducing the ATP cost of exercise

35 studies | 800 participants

Supporting Stack (Tier 2)

3.2-6.4g daily for 4+ weeks

Increases muscle carnosine, buffering acid during sustained high-intensity efforts

28 studies | 700 participants
0.3g/kg body weight, 60-90 min pre-exercise

Extracellular buffer that delays fatigue during high-intensity cycling efforts and sprints

25 studies | 600 participants

How It Works

Cycling performance depends on aerobic power (VO2max), efficiency, lactate threshold, and the ability to sustain high intensities during climbs, breakaways, and sprints. This protocol targets all these factors with the most evidence-backed ergogenic aids in cycling research.

•Caffeine is the most reliable performance enhancer for cycling. It reduces perceived exertion (making hard efforts feel easier), increases fat burning (sparing glycogen), and improves focus. Studies consistently show 2-4% improvements in time trial performance—a massive margin in competitive cycling.
•Beetroot Juice (Nitrate) has revolutionized endurance sports nutrition. Dietary nitrate is converted to nitric oxide, which improves the efficiency of oxygen use in muscles. This means you can maintain the same power output with less oxygen—or go faster at the same effort. Effects are most pronounced at altitude.
•Beta-Alanine is beneficial for cycling efforts that push into the anaerobic zone—climbs, attacks, and sprint finishes. By increasing muscle carnosine, it buffers the acid that accumulates during these high-intensity efforts.
•Sodium Bicarbonate provides additional buffering capacity for intense efforts lasting 1-7 minutes. It's particularly useful for criterium racing, short time trials, and mountain-top finishes.

Expected timeline: Caffeine works acutely (peak 30-60 min). Beetroot juice is best used 2-3 hours pre-exercise. Beta-alanine requires 4+ weeks of daily supplementation. Test GI tolerance with bicarbonate before race day.

Generated from peer-reviewed researchSchema v2.0

Supplements for Cycling Performance

Sorted by strength of evidence

ACaffeine
1
↑Aerobic Exercise MetricsImproves↑Power OutputImproves↑Anaerobic CapacityImproves
CCordyceps
2
↑Lactate ThresholdImprovesAerobic Exercise Metrics↑Oxygen UptakeImproves
CSodium Bicarbonate
2
↑Aerobic Exercise MetricsImprovesAdrenaline↑Blood AcidityWorsens
CAstaxanthin
1
↑Aerobic Exercise MetricsImproves↑Blood glucoseWorsens↑Blood Lactate (Exercise)Worsens
CAshwagandha
1
↑Aerobic Exercise MetricsImproves↑Fat OxidationImproves↑Oxygen UptakeImproves
CBetalains
1
↑Power OutputImproves
COrnithine
1
Ammonia↑Anaerobic CapacityImproves↓Heart RateImproves
CMagnesium
1
↑Aerobic Exercise MetricsImproves↓Blood glucoseImproves↑InsulinWorsens
CPhosphatidylserine
1
↑Anaerobic CapacityImproves↓CortisolImproves↑Fat OxidationImproves
CRhodiola Rosea
1
↑Aerobic Exercise MetricsImproves↑Rating of Perceived ExertionImproves↑Blood Lactate (Exercise)Worsens
CBeta-Alanine
1
↑Anaerobic CapacityImproves↑Fatigue SymptomsWorsens↑Muscular EnduranceImproves
CCreatine
1
↑Anaerobic CapacityImproves↑Power OutputImproves↑Oxygen UptakeImproves
DCholine
1
Anaerobic Capacity↓Fatigue SymptomsImproves↑Training VolumeImproves
DVitamin C
1
Aerobic Exercise Metrics↑Exercise-Induced OxidationWorsens↓Oxidative Stress BiomarkersImproves
DL-Tyrosine
1
Aerobic Exercise Metrics↓Heart RateImproves↑Rating of Perceived ExertionImproves
DAlanylglutamine
1
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↑AldosteroneImproves↑Anaerobic CapacityImproves
DBranched-Chain Amino Acids
1
Anaerobic Capacity↑Fat OxidationImproves↑Fatigue SymptomsWorsens
DMaca
1
Anaerobic Capacity↓Heart RateImproves↑Rating of Perceived ExertionImproves
DVitamin E
1
Aerobic Exercise Metrics↑Blood Lactate (Exercise)Worsens↓Heart RateImproves
DTaurine
1
Anaerobic Capacity↑Fat OxidationImproves↓Heart RateImproves

Detailed Outcomes

Grade:
Effect:
Size:
Sort:
|
A
Aerobic Exercise Metrics
Moderate Improvement
14 studies
moderate↑Improves
?
Power Output
11 studies
↑Improves
?
Anaerobic Capacity
3 studies
↑Improves
?
Blood Lactate (Exercise)
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Cortisol
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Fatigue Symptoms
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Heart Rate
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
1 study
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
1 study
↑Improves
?
Training Volume
1 study
↑Improves
C
Anaerobic Capacity
Small Improvement
2 studies
small↑Improves
?
Power Output
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Oxygen Uptake
1 study
↑Improves
?
Weight
1 study
↓Improves
C
Lactate Threshold
Small Improvement
1 study
small↑Improves
D
Aerobic Exercise Metrics
No effect
1 study
none
?
Oxygen Uptake
2 studies
↑Improves
C
Aerobic Exercise Metrics
Moderate Improvement
1 study
moderate↑Improves
?
Fat Oxidation
1 study
↑Improves
?
Oxygen Uptake
1 study
↑Improves
C
Power Output
7-day BLN (100mg/day) improved average absolute power vs placebo without increasing plasma NOx (PMID: 30155761)
1 study
small↑Improves
C
Ammonia
Mixed effect
1 study
?
Anaerobic Capacity
1 study
↑Improves
?
Heart Rate
1 study
↓Improves
?
Oxygen Uptake
1 study
↑Improves
?
Urea
1 study
↑Improves
C
Aerobic Exercise Metrics
Moderate Improvement
1 study
moderate↑Improves
?
Blood glucose
1 study
↓Improves
?
Insulin
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Muscle Oxygenation
1 study
↑Improves
C
Aerobic Exercise Metrics
Small Improvement
1 study
small↑Improves
D
Adrenaline
No effect
1 study
none
?
Blood Acidity
13 studies
↑Worsens
?
Serum Bicarbonate
13 studies
↑Improves
?
Blood Lactate (Exercise)
11 studies
↑Worsens
?
Power Output
11 studies
↑Improves
?
Anaerobic Capacity
10 studies
↑Improves
?
Oxygen Uptake
4 studies
↑Improves
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
4 studies
↑Improves
?
Heart Rate
3 studies
↓Improves
?
Training Volume
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Fat Oxidation
1 study
↑Improves
?
Neuromuscular Function
1 study
↑Improves
C
Anaerobic Capacity
Moderate Improvement
1 study
moderate↑Improves
?
Cortisol
1 study
↓Improves
?
Fat Oxidation
1 study
↑Improves
?
Fatigue Symptoms
1 study
↓Improves
?
Oxygen Cost of Exercise
1 study
↑Improves
C
Aerobic Exercise Metrics
Small Improvement
1 study
small↑Improves
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Blood Lactate (Exercise)
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Carbohydrate Oxidation
1 study
↑Improves
?
Cortisol
1 study
↓Improves
?
Fat Oxidation
1 study
↑Improves
?
Fatigue Symptoms
1 study
↓Improves
?
Heart Rate
1 study
↓Improves
?
Metabolic Rate
1 study
↑Improves
?
Vigor/Activity
1 study
↑Improves
C
Anaerobic Capacity
Small Improvement
1 study
small↑Improves
?
Fatigue Symptoms
2 studies
↑Worsens
?
Muscular Endurance
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Oxygen Uptake
1 study
↑Improves
?
Power Output
1 study
↑Improves
C
Aerobic Exercise Metrics
Small Improvement
1 study
small↑Improves
?
Blood glucose
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Blood Lactate (Exercise)
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Free Fatty Acids
1 study
↑Improves
?
Heart Rate
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Insulin
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Oxygen Cost of Exercise
1 study
↑Improves
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
1 study
↑Improves
?
Respiratory Exchange Ratio
1 study
↑Improves
D
Aerobic Exercise Metrics
No effect
3 studies
none
?
Power Output
2 studies
↑Improves
?
DNA Damage
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Heart Rate
1 study
↓Improves
?
Immunity
1 study
↑Improves
?
Muscular Endurance
1 study
↑Improves
?
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
1 study
↓Improves
?
Plasma Arginine
1 study
↑Improves
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
1 study
↑Improves
D
Aerobic Exercise Metrics
No effect
2 studies
none
?
Heart Rate
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Blood glucose
1 study
↓Improves
?
Blood Lactate (Exercise)
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Free Fatty Acids
1 study
↑Improves
?
Oxygen Uptake
1 study
↑Improves
?
Power Output
1 study
↑Improves
?
Weight
1 study
↓Improves
D
Aerobic Exercise Metrics
No effect
2 studies
none
?
Blood Lactate (Exercise)
2 studies
↑Worsens
?
Power Output
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Blood glucose
1 study
↓Improves
?
Fat Oxidation
1 study
↑Improves
?
Heart Rate
1 study
↓Improves
?
Muscle Carnitine Content
1 study
↑Improves
D
Aerobic Exercise Metrics
No effect
2 studies
none
?
Oxygen Uptake
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Power Output
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Anaerobic Capacity
1 study
↑Improves
?
Body Fat
1 study
↓Improves
?
Cell Adhesion Factors
1 study
↓Improves
?
Exercise-Induced Immune Suppression
1 study
↑Improves
?
Heart Rate
1 study
↓Improves
?
IGF-1
1 study
↑Improves
?
Immunoglobulin A
1 study
↑Improves
?
Interleukin 10
1 study
↑Improves
?
Interleukin 6
1 study
↓Improves
?
Monocyte Count
1 study
↑Improves
?
Muscle Mass
1 study
↑Improves
?
Natural Killer Cell Activity
1 study
↑Improves
?
Neutrophil Count
1 study
↑Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
1 study
↓Improves
?
Ventilatory Threshold
1 study
↑Improves
?
Weight
1 study
↓Improves
?
White Blood Cell Count
1 study
↑Improves
D
Anaerobic Capacity
No effect
1 study
none
?
Fatigue Symptoms
1 study
↓Improves
?
Training Volume
1 study
↑Improves
D
Aerobic Exercise Metrics
No effect
1 study
none
?
Exercise-Induced Oxidation
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
1 study
↓Improves
D
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
No effect
1 study
none
?
Aldosterone
1 study
↑Improves
?
Anaerobic Capacity
1 study
↑Improves
?
Blood glucose
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Blood Lactate (Exercise)
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Cortisol
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Growth Hormone
1 study
↑Improves
?
Heart Rate
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Interleukin 6
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Testosterone
1 study
↑Improves
?
Vasopressin
1 study
↑Improves
D
Anaerobic Capacity
No effect
1 study
none
?
Fat Oxidation
1 study
↑Improves
?
Fatigue Symptoms
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Heart Rate
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Oxygen Uptake
1 study
↑Improves
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
1 study
↑Improves
D
Anaerobic Capacity
No effect
1 study
none
?
Heart Rate
1 study
↓Improves
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
1 study
↑Improves
D
Aerobic Exercise Metrics
No effect
1 study
none
?
Blood Lactate (Exercise)
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Heart Rate
1 study
↓Improves
?
Muscle Damage
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
1 study
↓Improves
D
Anaerobic Capacity
No effect
1 study
none
?
Fat Oxidation
1 study
↑Improves
?
Heart Rate
1 study
↓Improves
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
1 study
↑Improves
D
Anaerobic Capacity
No effect
1 study
none
?
Body Fat
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Muscle Mass
1 study
↑Improves
?
Power Output
1 study
↑Improves
?
Weight
1 study
↑Worsens
D
Ammonia
No effect
1 study
none
?
Blood Lactate (Exercise)
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Cortisol
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Glucagon
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Growth Hormone
1 study
↑Improves
?
Nitric Oxide
1 study
↑Improves
?
Oxygen Cost of Exercise
1 study
↑Improves
?
Plasma Arginine
1 study
↑Improves
?
Plasma Nitrate
1 study
↑Improves
?
Power Output
1 study
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
1 study
↑Improves
?
Urea
1 study
↑Improves
D
Lactate Threshold
No effect
1 study
none
?
Oxygen Uptake
1 study
↑Improves
?
Reaction Time
1 study
↑Improves
?
Carbohydrate Oxidation
3 studies
↑Improves
?
Glycogen Resynthesis
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Fat Oxidation
1 study
↑Improves
?
Aerobic Exercise Metrics
1 study
↑Improves

Research Citations (100)

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