We’re getting ready for the 2027 season with a visit to the Human Powered Health Performance Lab in Wellesley, MA, for key baseline tests and data collection.
The full 2027 Human Powered Health Cycling roster will come together at the lab for performance testing, gaining valuable insights to help guide individual preparation and build a strong foundation for the season ahead. The Wellesley location is one of four state-of-the-art Human Powered Health facilities across the country, offering athletes access to specialized testing and performance expertise.
The Human Powered Health Performance Lab is a core component of our holistic approach to health and human performance. These facilities give athletes valuable insight into their physiology and provide a path toward reaching their potential through a focus on both physical performance and overall wellbeing.
“It’s always such a beautiful experience to come here because we meet the other half of our team, our American staff,” said Carlotta Cipressi on her third visit to the Wellesley location. “It’s interesting to see all of our data and track the improvement of the team as we are growing each year. It’s really great to be part of the growth of the team. Human Powered Health invest a lot in us, and it’s really appreciated as the data collected helps us year-round.”
At these labs, testing is conducted by Master’s- and PhD-level performance physiologists. After testing, they help athletes understand their results and tailor recommendations to their individual needs. These data-driven insights, focused around our Pillars of Performance — movement, fuel, mindset, and recovery — help athletes make informed decisions about their training, health, and performance.
The data gathered through a range of tests will help coaches build a well-rounded understanding of each rider as both an athlete and an individual. Establishing baseline measurements ahead of the season allows the team to identify growth opportunities, inform training plans, and develop strategies that support each athlete’s goals throughout 2027.
“We have a lot of new riders and staff here, so it’s really great to be here to get to know everybody,” said Maggie Coles-Lyster, echoing the sentiment of Cipressi. “We’ll get into our tests here, and as I’ve had a few weeks of offseason, it’s good to see where my baseline is at. After the season I’ve had, I’m really interested to see the comparison of my data from pre-FLIA surgery to how I’m performing now.”
Human Powered Health’s relationship between its cycling team and performance labs is at the core of our shared goal to inspire and facilitate people to be their better selves. By bringing the full roster into the lab, the team can connect performance science with the demands of elite cycling and use individualized insights to help athletes prepare for the season ahead.
To learn more about the lab and schedule your own visit, choosing from a deep à la carte menu of services, visit humanpoweredhealth.com
The tests
Here’s a rundown of what tests the athletes will undergo in Wellesley.
Resting Metabolic Rate: Calculates calories burned at rest and fuel mix (fat vs. carbs) to tailor nutrition plans that support optimal energy availability during rides.
Grip Strength: Assesses forearm and hand strength, crucial for improving bike control, especially on long or technical rides. Grip strength also provides insights into overall strength, physical performance, and potential longevity.
Force Plate Analysis: Measures lower body power, symmetry, and landing forces to identify imbalances and optimize pedal stroke efficiency, strength, and injury prevention.
TrueStrength Analysis: Evaluates isometric force and explosive power in key muscle groups, enhancing stability, posture, and power transfer in cycling.
VO2max Test: Measures maximum oxygen uptake and provides heart rate training zones, allowing cyclists to improve endurance training and gauge aerobic fitness specific to cycling.
Lactate Threshold Test: Determines lactate threshold by measuring blood lactate levels at various stages to fine-tune training intensities, establish power zones, and optimize endurance performance.
DXA Scan: Offers a detailed body composition breakdown, providing insights into lean mass and fat distribution to guide training and nutrition. Provides a comprehensive analysis of body composition, including lean mass, fat distribution, and bone mineral density, offering insights to guide training and nutrition. Understanding bone density is particularly valuable for cyclists at higher risk for low bone density due to the non-weight-bearing nature of cycling, helping to inform injury prevention strategies.
Bike Fit: Customizes bike setup to maximize comfort and aerodynamics while reducing injury risk through precise adjustments.
Watt-Bike: This test is a three-minute maximal sprint effort designed to measure peak power output, sustained power, and fatigue rate. This test offers insights into a cyclist’s anaerobic capacity, endurance at high intensities, and ability to maintain power over time. Analyzing these metrics helps identify strengths and areas for improvement in sprint performance, aiding in targeted training adjustments to enhance speed and power output.
