VST — Ventilatory Strategies Training: A Complete Respiratory Performance System for Elite Cycling (Position Paper)

Description: This position paper presents the theoretical and operational foundations of the VST (Ventilatory Strategies Training) protocol, a complete, individualised, field-deployable system for characterising, prescribing and monitoring ventilatory performance in elite cyclists. VST addresses a dimension systematically absent from elite cycling programmes: how athletes breathe during effort, and how this ventilatory strategy can be trained, prescribed and monitored individually. The system integrates static spirometric characterisation (FEV1, FEV6, Tiffeneau, Breathing Reserve, MVV, S-Index, PIF), dynamic ventilatory profiling (Rf/Tv kinematics at VT1, VT2 and VO₂max, Tidal Volume Efficiency, RF/TV index), individualised iRf/iTv prescription per power zone, and longitudinal field monitoring via gas exchange analysis and Tymewear Vital Strap Pro. The paper documents observed outcomes across 16 World Tour and Continental Pro athletes followed over 23 months: +30W at VT1, +38W at VT2, −37.7% Rf at VT1, Rf drift slope reduced ×4.87, estimated 96–150 seconds gained on Alpe d'Huez (n=1, case report level). It situates these results within the VST Research Series, currently comprising 10 published or submitted studies (Zenodo, SportRxiv, EJAP, JSC). The position paper also introduces the kinematic coordination model underlying VST prescription, the 4-variable model (inspiratory strength, flow, volume, expiratory strength), and the conceptual distinction between Breathing Reserve as a structural potential indicator and Tidal Volume Efficiency as a strategy efficiency indicator — two parameters that must be interpreted jointly, never in isolation. This document is intended for performance directors, sports scientists and medical staff of professional cycling teams.