Computer supported analysis of thermal comfort for cycling sport.

This research presents an innovative methodology to evaluate the thermal comfort of cycling athletes. It is well known that the thermal comfort of the athletes is linked with their sport performance and safety. The paper describes a computer supported analysis performed for the two venues of the cycling sport (Time Trial and Road Race) of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). The meteorological data of two stations representative of the racing areas have been collected for a period of 20 years. They have been analyzed to produce the wind roses, the average typical days of the meteorological variables, and to calculate two important thermal indices: Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET). The results of this research show the importance of the climatological analysis for optimizing the training and nutrition plans of the athletes.