Neuromuscular Performance, Cardiovascular Characteristics, and Hematological Responses in Mountain Bike Athletes

Introduction: Mountain biking (MTB) is a demanding endurance sport that requires a combination of strength, power, and cardiovascular efficiency to navigate challenging terrains. This study aimed to investigate the association between physical performance, cardiovascular, and hematological markers with race performance in competitive MTB athletes. Methods: Sixty-seven male athletes (mean age: 38.8 ± 11 yr) were categorized into faster (T1) and slower (T2) groups based on race completion times. Anthropometric, physical performance (handgrip strength and jump tests), and hematological markers were assessed before and after a 75-km race. Statistical analyses included two-way ANOVA, Chi-square tests, and odds ratio (OR) calculations to identify significant group differences and predictive performance indicators. Results: Faster finishers were younger and exhibited lower resting diastolic blood pressure compared with T2 ( P < 0.05). Significant group × time interactions were observed for handgrip strength in both hands ( P < 0.05), with higher postrace values in T1. Lower dominant handgrip strength was associated with an increased OR of 4.41 (95% confidence interval: 1.54–12.61) for belonging to T2, while lower standing long jump performance showed an OR of 3.12 (95% confidence interval: 1.10–8.85). Substantial pre-to-post race changes were observed in hematological and biochemical markers, including leukocyte count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and creatine kinase. However, no significant group differences were detected for these variables. Conclusions: Mountain bike race performance was primarily associated with neuromuscular and cardiovascular characteristics rather than differential hematological responses. Handgrip strength emerged as a practical field-based marker related to performance, highlighting the importance of upper-limb strength in competitive MTB athletes.