Testing peak cycling performance: effects of braking force during growth

The modeling method is an effective means of estimating causality as well as examining cycle pedaling efficiency. Pedaling efficiency can also be examined by an experimental method, but the experimental method can lead to contradictory results due to perturbation of the measured output parameters. Experimental studies generally yield realistic results, but it is difficult to control for all the variables of interest and to determine the causal relationships between them. The objective of this study is to investigate the pedaling efficiency and causality with considering saddle position and pedaling cadence as variables. Based on the mathematical pedaling modeling, the internal work calculation method was used to calculate the consumed mechanical energy and energy conservation percentage ([Formula: see text]). The optimal saddle position with the lowest mechanical energy and the highest energy conservation percentage could be changed by the cadence. At the low cadence, the higher saddle position, and the shorter horizontal distance between the saddle and crankshaft led to higher pedaling efficiency ( h: 0.95 m, d: 0.16 m, and knee angle: [Formula: see text]). However, the highest pedaling efficiency was achieved at the high cadence with a saddle height ( h) of 0.9 m and a horizontal distance between the saddle and the crankshaft ( d) of 0.06 m (knee angle: [Formula: see text]). The lowest cadence is the optimal cadence in terms of the consumed energy, but the optimal cadence was 90 r/min in terms of the energy conservation percentage. Compared to the energy consumption, the energy conservation percentage was demonstrated to influence the fatigue of a cycle rider more critically. The energy conservation percentage was highest at 90 r/min, and 90 r/min was close to the preferred cadence by the cyclist.

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Caffeine and 3-km cycling performance: Effects of mouth rinsing, genotype, and time of day

Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports ◽

10.1111/sms.12501 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 26 (6) ◽

pp. 613-619 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

M. W. Pataky ◽

C. J. Womack ◽

M. J. Saunders ◽

J. L. Goffe ◽

A. C. D'Lugos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cycling Performance ◽

Time Of Day ◽

Performance Effects ◽

Mouth Rinsing

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Caffeine and Sprint Cycling Performance: Effects of Torque Factor and Sprint Duration

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2018-0458 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 426-431

Author(s):

Mark Glaister ◽

Colin Towey ◽

Owen Jeffries ◽

Daniel Muniz-Pumares ◽

Paul Foley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Peak Power ◽

Cycling Performance ◽

Mean Difference ◽

Peak Power Output ◽

Double Blind ◽

Double Blind Placebo ◽

Performance Effects ◽

Sprint Cycling ◽

Post Hoc ◽

Sprint Duration

Purpose:To investigate the influence of torque factor and sprint duration on the effects of caffeine on sprint cycling performance.Methods:Using a counterbalanced, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, 13 men completed 9 trials. In trial 1, participants completed a series of 6-s sprints at increasing torque factors to determine the torque factor, for each individual, that elicited the highest (Toptimal) peak power output (PPO). The remaining trials involved all combinations of torque factor (0.8 N·m−1·kg−1vsToptimal), sprint duration (10 s vs 30 s), and supplementation (caffeine [5 mg·kg−1] vs placebo).Results:There was a significant effect of torque factor on PPO, with higher values atToptimal(mean difference 168 W; 95% likely range 142–195 W). There was also a significant effect of sprint duration on PPO, with higher values in 10-s sprints (mean difference 52 W; 95% likely range 18–86 W). However, there was no effect of supplementation on PPO (P = .056). Nevertheless, there was a significant torque factor × sprint duration × supplement interaction (P = .036), with post hoc tests revealing that caffeine produced a higher PPO (mean difference 76 W; 95% likely range 19–133 W) when the sprint duration was 10 s and the torque factor wasToptimal.Conclusion:The results of this study show that when torque factor and sprint duration are optimized, to allow participants to express their highest PPO, there is a clear effect of caffeine on sprinting performance.

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