Understanding Sprint-Cycling Performance: The Integration of Muscle Power, Resistance, and Modeling

Sprint-cycling performance is paramount to competitive success in over half the world-championship and Olympic races in the sport of cycling. This review examines the current knowledge behind the interaction of propulsive and resistive forces that determine sprint performance. Because of recent innovation in field power-measuring devices, actual data from both elite track- and road-cycling sprint performances provide additional insight into key performance determinants and allow for the construction of complex models of sprint-cycling performance suitable for forward integration. Modeling of various strategic scenarios using a variety of field and laboratory data can highlight the relative value for certain tactically driven choices during competition.

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Using Field Based Data to Model Sprint Track Cycling Performance

Sports Medicine - Open ◽

10.1186/s40798-021-00310-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hamish A. Ferguson ◽

Chris Harnish ◽

J. Geoffrey Chase

Keyword(s):

Peak Power ◽

Supply And Demand ◽

Cycling Performance ◽

Performance Requirements ◽

Road Cycling ◽

Power Models ◽

Sprint Cycling ◽

Performance Determinants ◽

Physiological Interventions ◽

Track Cycling

AbstractCycling performance models are used to study rider and sport characteristics to better understand performance determinants and optimise competition outcomes. Performance requirements cover the demands of competition a cyclist may encounter, whilst rider attributes are physical, technical and psychological characteristics contributing to performance. Several current models of endurance-cycling enhance understanding of performance in road cycling and track endurance, relying on a supply and demand perspective. However, they have yet to be developed for sprint-cycling, with current athlete preparation, instead relying on measures of peak-power, speed and strength to assess performance and guide training. Peak-power models do not adequately explain the demands of actual competition in events over 15-60 s, let alone, in World-Championship sprint cycling events comprising several rounds to medal finals. Whilst there are no descriptive studies of track-sprint cycling events, we present data from physiological interventions using track cycling and repeated sprint exercise research in multiple sports, to elucidate the demands of performance requiring several maximal sprints over a competition. This review will show physiological and power meter data, illustrating the role of all energy pathways in sprint performance. This understanding highlights the need to focus on the capacity required for a given race and over an event, and therefore the recovery needed for each subsequent race, within and between races, and how optimal pacing can be used to enhance performance. We propose a shift in sprint-cyclist preparation away from training just for peak power, to a more comprehensive model of the actual event demands.

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Single and combined effect of kinesio tape and warm-up on sprint cycling performance

BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation ◽

10.1186/s13102-021-00310-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Alessio Rossi ◽

Damiano Formenti ◽

Luca Cavaggioni ◽

Giampietro Alberti ◽

Fabio Esposito ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Muscle Power ◽

Average Power ◽

Cycling Performance ◽

Combined Effect ◽

The Other ◽

Repeated Measure ◽

Kinesio Tape ◽

Warm Up ◽

Thigh Muscles ◽

Sprint Cycling

Abstract Background The fact that kinesio tape may be capable to enhance muscle power would qualify it as practical tool to be considered during passive warm-up (WU) or coupled with active WU processes prior to power-based performance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the single and combined effect of kinesio tape (KT) and WU on sprint cycling performance. Methods In a repeated measure design, fifteen participants underwent six sessions to assess sprint cycling performance involving a combination of three taping conditions (without KT: NoKT; with KT positioned vertically over the thigh muscles KT; with KT positioned horizontally over the thigh muscles: Sham) with two pre-exercise routines (with WU: WU; without WU: NoWU) in a randomized order. Allometric scaling of peak power (PP) and average power (AP) values were considered for each sprint. Results KT-WU demonstrated the highest PP and AP with respect to the other conditions (p < 0.05), except for AP that was similar to Sham-WU (p > 0.05). Moreover, NoKT-NoWU showed the lowest PP and AP with respect to the other conditions (p < 0.05). Conclusions Overall, our findings suggest that kinesio tape might be a possible tool to be combined with an active WU routine, inducing benefit on sprint performance. Moreover, KT may be considered a potential strategy to include within a passive WU, perhaps where an active WU is not feasible. However, as the influence of KT on muscle function is still unclear, our results should not be overinterpreted.

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Strength capacity of lower-limb muscles in world-class cyclists: new insights into the limits of sprint cycling performance

Sports Biomechanics ◽

10.1080/14763141.2021.2024243 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 1-18

Author(s):

Iris Sachet ◽

Niels Peter Brochner Nygaard ◽

Gaël Guilhem ◽

François Hug ◽

Sylvain Dorel

Keyword(s):

Lower Limb ◽

Cycling Performance ◽

Lower Limb Muscles ◽

Strength Capacity ◽

Limb Muscles ◽

World Class ◽

Sprint Cycling

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Does Physical Fitness Predict Future Karate Success? A Study in Young Female Karatekas

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2019-0435 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (6) ◽

pp. 868-873

Author(s):

Óscar Martínez de Quel ◽

Ignacio Ara ◽

Mikel Izquierdo ◽

Carlos Ayán

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Muscle Power ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Young Female ◽

Binary Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Discriminative Ability ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Elite Group ◽

Competitive Success

Objective: To assess the discriminative ability of several fitness dimensions and anthropometric attributes for forecasting competitive success in female karate athletes. Methods: Fitness and anthropometric data from 98 female junior karatekas obtained during the training camps of the Spanish National Karate Federation between 1999 and 2012 were used. Binary logistic-regression models were built to ascertain whether the set of fitness and anthropometric variables could predict future sporting-performance levels. For this purpose, participants were classified as elite (medalist in World or European Championships in the senior category) or subelite (at least a medalist in Spanish National Championships in cadet or junior but not included in the elite group), according to the results achieved up to 2019. Results: Participants who were subsequently classified as elite karatekas showed significant differences in agility, upper- and lower-body muscle power, and general fitness in comparison with those who were classified as subelite in the senior category. A total of 57 junior female karatekas who were subsequently classified as elite (7) or subelite (50) were included in the binary logistic-regression analysis. Resultant models showed significant capacity to predict karate performance. Conclusions: Assessing physical fitness in junior categories can be a useful resource to determine future karate success. Coaches in this sport should pay special attention to the levels of muscle power and agility shown by their athletes, as both fitness dimensions could be indicators of future sportive success.

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Sprint Cycling Performance Improvement Post-Creatine Supplementation is Associated with Increase in Lean Body Mass

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000517045.97199.37 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 49 (5S) ◽

pp. 80

Author(s):

Daniel L. Crisafulli ◽

Harsh H. Buddhadev ◽

Lorrie R. Brilla ◽

Gordon R. Chalmers ◽

David N. Suprak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Performance Improvement ◽

Lean Body Mass ◽

Body Mass ◽

Creatine Supplementation ◽

Cycling Performance ◽

Sprint Cycling

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Comparison of Two Modes of Inducing Potentiation of Sprint Cycling Performance

Journal of Athletic Enhancement ◽

10.4172/2324-9080.1000243 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 05 (06) ◽

Author(s):

Blake Carney ◽

Louise A Kelly ◽

Hugh Lamont

Keyword(s):

Cycling Performance ◽

Sprint Cycling

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Mechanical Effectiveness and Coordination: New Insights into Sprint Cycling Performance

Biomechanics of Training and Testing ◽

10.1007/978-3-319-05633-3_3 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 33-62 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sylvain Dorel

Keyword(s):

Cycling Performance ◽

Sprint Cycling

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Bed-load transport: From the beginning into the future

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/20184005003 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 40 ◽

pp. 05003

Author(s):

Willi H. Hager

Keyword(s):

Current Knowledge ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Bed Load ◽

Transport Parameters ◽

Water And Sediment ◽

Experimental Campaign ◽

Load Transport ◽

Bed Load Transport ◽

Natural Rivers

This research addresses bed-load transport in the fluvial environment. Based on the current knowledge, it is first noted that this problem is by far not solved. The eminent questions ask for a large experimental campaign by which the basic issues are solved first, and then expanded to more challenging topics relating to questions not included in the first stage involving uniform water and sediment flows. A number of currently available experimental techniques is mentioned by which a high-quality laboratory experimentation should be feasible. Next, the effects of various fundamental transport parameters should be cleared using both systematic experimentation and data analyses. An improved bed-load transport equation should be established first, by which the current tools are replaced to produce better agreement with prototype data. The role of computational hydraulics is also highlighted, to apply results to natural rivers. Froude similitude should be carefully applied so that the laboratory data can safely be transferred to prototype conditions, if the limitations are respected.

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