Subject. In February 2012, Robert Marchand (RM; born November 26, 1911) set a world record for 1-h track cycling in the over-100 age group at 24.250 km. He improved this record to 26.927 km in January 2014. He started cycling at the age of 15 and stopped at the age of 25, when he went to work as a gardener and wine dealer. He continued to work until 1987, when he retired at the age of 76. RM volunteered to take part in the study. Before participation, he was informed of the risks and stresses associated with the protocol, and he gave his written voluntary informed consent for the tests and for the public reporting of his results. The present study conformed to the standards set by the Declaration of Helsinki, and the local research ethics committee (Comité Ethique et Aide à la Décision Médicale) approved all procedures (approval no. 201301). The subject was free of known cardiovascular, respiratory, and circulatory dysfunction. He was not taking prescribed medication. The subject underwent a classic cardiac examination, including an electrocardiogram. He performed specific maximal incremental tests 2 wk before the record attempt at the ages of 101 and 103 yr old, with regular electrocardiogram controls twice a year.

Experimental design and exercise protocols. For 2 yr, the subject trained 5,000 km/yr with a polarized training: 80% of mileage at “light” rate of perceived exertion (RPE) ≤12 and 20% at “hard” RPE ≥15. Training was not monitored with a heart rate (HR) monitor or for speed or power; however, the subject was aware of cycling below RPE 12 once a week, between 10 and 15 RPE once a week, and at RPE ≥15 every 2 wk. For each training session, he focused on a cadence range between 60 and 90 rpm on his gear. Two exercise tests were performed, one before and one after 2 yr of training. All tests were at least 2 h postprandial, and the subject was asked to refrain from caffeine intake before testing on the test days. Before each track record, RM performed an incremental test on a cycling ergometer in the laboratory. After familiarization with the laboratory and procedures, the subject performed the incremental protocol on an electronically braked cycle ergometer (Ergoline 900; Marquette Hellige, Bitz, Germany) to determine the maximal values of performance (power and speed), V̇o 2max , the lowest power that elicited V̇o 2max (pV̇o 2max ), the power associated with RPE = 15 (hard), the maximal pedaling frequency, the cardiorespiratory parameters, and the oxygen cost of pedaling. For the two exercise tests, he used the same double-link pedals (Proconcept) and cycling shoes (Adidas), as well as for the 1-h cycling best performance record. After a warm-up of 15 min at 25 W, power output increased by 25 W every 3 min until the subject reached an RPE equal to 17 (very hard).

Data collection procedure. Before each test, body weight was measured with an electronic balance (799 Seca), and lean mass was quantified by skinfold measurements using a Harpenden skinfold caliper at three sites (triceps, suprailiac, and thigh). During the two tests, an electrocardiogram (Cosmed Quark b2; Rome, Italy) was recorded beat by beat. Oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide production, expiratory minute ventilation, and respiratory frequency were recorded breath by breath throughout each test using a Cosmed Quark b2, as previously reported (22), and maximal values were measured [V̇o 2max , V̇co 2max , maximal expiratory minute ventilation (V̇e max ), and maximal respiratory frequency (RF max ), respectively]. Before each test, the oxygen analysis system was calibrated according to the manufacturer’s instructions, while the turbine flowmeter was calibrated using a 3-liter syringe (Quinton Instruments). Maximal value of respiratory exchange ratio (RER max ) was determined as the highest ratio of V̇co 2 to V̇o 2 . Oxygen blood saturation ( S a O 2 ) was recorded every 2 min (Oxypleth; Novametrix Medical System, Walingford, CT) at the earlobe. V̇o 2max attainment was confirmed by the following criteria (22): attaining a plateau in V̇o 2 (ΔV̇o 2 <2.1 ml·kg−1·min−1), and this is the primary criterion of V̇o 2max attainment, and/or 1) a RER greater than 1.05, 2) a heart rate >90% of the theoretical maximal HR (16), and 3) a subjective RPE >16 (3). To avoid an invasive examination, no blood sample was drawn for measuring the blood lactate concentration. The duration of the V̇o 2max plateau was calculated as the time sustained at a V̇o 2 value >95% of V̇o 2max , according to its experimental and biological V̇o 2 variability (18). During exercise, the subject was given strong verbal encouragement to exercise to volitional fatigue; however, the subject received no progress feedback. RPE (15) was recorded at the end of each stage for the incremental test.

One-hour cycling best performance record. The hour record is the record for the longest distance cycled in 1 h on a bicycle from a stationary start, according to Union Cyclist International (UCI) rules (article 3.5.026). Cyclists attempt this record alone on the track without other competitors present. It is considered perhaps the most prestigious record in all cycling and has been studied scientifically. For his records, RM used two different bikes at an interval of 2 yr, and both bikes had the same characteristics according to the UCI rules, i.e., the same gear ratio and weight (7.15 kg). His gear ratio, using a tray of 49 teeth associated with a gear with 16 teeth, was ~6.54 m. The tires were gut Continental Tempo 22. Therefore, to beat his proper world record by 1 km/h (25.25 km/h, i.e., 420.8 m/min), RM had to cycle at an average cadence of 64–65 rpm.