Anaerobic Cycling Power Output with Variations in Recumbent Body Configuration

2001 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 204-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raoul F. Reiser ◽  
Michael L. Peterson ◽  
Jeffrey P. Broker

While the recumbent cycling position has become common for high-performance human-powered vehicles, questions still remain as to the influence of familiarity on recumbent cycling, the optimal riding position, and how recumbent cycling positions compare to the standard cycling position (SCP). Eight recumbent-familiar cyclists and 10 recreational control cyclists were compared using the 30-s Wingate test in 5 recumbent positions as well as the SCP. For the recumbent positions, hip position was maintained 15° below the bottom bracket while the backrest was altered to investigate body configuration angle (BCA: the angle between the bottom bracket, hip, and a marker at mid-torso) changes from 100° to 140° in 10° increments. Between-groups analysis found that only 4 of the 126 analyzed parameters differed significantly, with all trends in the same direction. Therefore both groups were combined for further analysis. Whole-group peak power (14.6 W/kg body mass) and average power (9.9 and 9.8 W/kg body mass, respectively) were greatest in the 130° and 140° BCA positions, with power dropping off as BCA decreased through 100° (peak = 12.4 W/kg body mass; avg. = 9.0 W/kg body mass). Power output in the SCP (peak = 14.6 W/kg body mass; avg. = 9.7 W/kg body mass) was similar to that produced in the 130° and 140° recumbent BCA. Average hip and ankle angles increased (became more extended/ plantar-flexed), 36° and 10°, respectively, with recumbent BCA, while knee angles remained constant. The lower extremity kinematics of the 130° and 140° BCA were most similar to those of the SCP. However, SCP hip and knee joints were slightly extended and the ankle joint was slightly plantar-flexed compared to these two recumbent positions, even though the BCA of the SCP was not significantly different. These findings suggest: (a) the amount of recumbent familiarity in this study did not produce changes in power output or kinematics; (b) BCA is a major determinant of power output; and (c) recumbent-position anaerobic power output matches that of the SCP when BCA is maintained, even though lower extremity kinematics may be altered.

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1015-1022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelle de Jong ◽  
Linda van der Meijden ◽  
Simone Hamby ◽  
Samantha Suckow ◽  
Christopher Dodge ◽  
...  

Purpose:To reach top performance in cycling, optimizing distribution of energy resources is crucial. The purpose of this study was to investigate power output during 250-m, 500-m, and 1000-m cycling time trials and the characteristics of the adopted pacing strategy.Methods:Nine trained cyclists completed an incremental test and 3 time trials that they were instructed to finish as quickly as possible. Preceding the trials, peak power during short sprints (PPsprint) and gross efficiency (GE) were measured. During the trials, power output and oxygen consumption were measured to calculate the contribution of the aerobic and anaerobic energy sources. After the trial GE was measured again.Results:Peak power during all trials (PPTT) was lower than PPsprint. In the 250-m trial the PPTT was higher in the 1000-m trial (P = .008). The subjects performed a significantly longer time at high intensity in the 250-m than in the 1000-m (P = .029). GE declined significantly during all trials (P < .01). Total anaerobically attributable work was less in the 250-m than in the 500-m (P = .015) and 1000-m (P < .01) trials.Conclusion:The overall pacing pattern in the 250-m trial appears to follow an all-out strategy, although peak power is still lower than the potential maximal power output. This suggests that a true all-out pattern of power output may not be used in fixed-distance events. The 500-m and 1000-m had a more conservative pacing pattern and anaerobic power output reached a constant magnitude.


2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-75a ◽  
Author(s):  
Matej Šmída ◽  
Michal Clementis ◽  
Dušan Hamar ◽  
Yvetta Macejková

SummaryAim of this study was to compare relation between maximal anaerobic power output and 2,000 m test on rowing ergometer and relation between 6,000 m test and 2,000 m on rowing ergometer. It can be assumed that 2,000 m performance on rowing ergometer will significantly correlate with maximal anaerobic power output and 6,000 m performance. A group of 9 welltrained rowers (age: 18.3 years ± 2.8 years, sport age: 4.9 years ± 3.7 years, weight: 78.9 kg ± 12.2 kg, height: 182.3 cm ± 7.6 cm) performed three tests in 1 week to determine maximal anaerobic power, 6,000 m and 2,000 m performance on Concept 2 model D rowing ergometer. A value of simple maximal stroke out of 10-second all-out test with drag factor set to 200 was taken as a measure of maximal anaerobic power. Drag factor for 6,000 m and 2,000 m test was set individually. Average power during these tests was record. Research showed that both maximal anaerobic power and 6,000 m test correlated with 2,000 m test on rowing ergometer significantly (rmap= 0.93 p < 0.01, r6k= 0.95 p < 0.01). Maximal anaerobic power and 6,000 m tests seem to be good predictors for 2,000 m score on rowing ergometer. However, maximal anaerobic power test can be used to monitor rowing performance during specific training cycle instead of longer and more demanding 6,000 m test.


Author(s):  
Shahin Minaei ◽  
Morteza Jourkesh ◽  
Richard B. Kreider ◽  
Scott C. Forbes ◽  
Tacito P. Souza-Junior ◽  
...  

The purpose was to investigate the effects of CYP1A2 −163C > A polymorphism on the effects of acute caffeine (CAF) supplementation on anaerobic power in trained males. Sixteen trained males (age: 21.6 ± 7.1 years; height: 179.7 ± 5.6 cm; body mass: 72.15 ± 6.8 kg) participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo (PLA) controlled crossover design. Participants supplemented with CAF (6 mg/kg of body mass) and an isovolumetric PLA (maltodextrin) in random order and separated by 7 days, before an all-out 30-s anaerobic cycling test to determine peak, average, and minimum power output, and fatigue index. Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted to identify each participants CYP1A2 genotype. Six participants expressed AA homozygote and 10 expressed C alleles. There was a treatment by genotype interaction for peak power output (p = .041, η2 = .265, observed power = 0.552) with only those expressing AA genotype showing improvement following CAF supplementation compared with PLA (CAF: 693 ± 108 watts vs. PLA: 655 ± 97 watts; p = .039), while no difference between treatments was noted in those expressing C alleles (CAF: 614 ± 92 watts vs. PLA: 659 ± 144 watts; p = .135). There were no other interaction or main effects for average or minimum power output, or fatigue index (p > .05). In conclusion, the ingestion of 6 mg/kg of CAF improved peak power output only in participants with the AA genotype compared with PLA; however, expression of the CYP1A2 did not influence average or minimum power output or fatigue index.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (85) ◽  
Author(s):  
Donvina Vaitkevičiūtė ◽  
Kazys Milašius

Research background and hypothesis. Aerobic fitness of high-performance mountain bikers explains about 40% of variance in performance. This suggests that other factors such as anaerobic power and capacity as well as technical abilities need to be considered in the physiological assessment (Impellizzeri et al., 2005 a). We found a lot studies investigating track and road cyclists, but there are no studies concerning the relationship between physiological tests and cycling performance in Lithuanian mountain bikers. The aim of this study was to investigate the physiological correlates of cycling performance in amateur mountain bikers. Research  methods.  Fifteen  Lithuanian  mountain  bikers  participated  in  the  study.  The  10-second  test  was performed to estimate special alactic anaerobic power output, whereas ae 30-second Wingate test was performed to estimate composite alactic anaerobic glycolytic power output. For the evaluation of the aerobic capacity, a progressive incremental laboratory cycling test to exhaustion was performed. Research results. We found a significant negative correlation between cycling performance and alactic anaerobic relative  peak  power  output  (r  =  –0.534,  p  <  0.05)  and  lactate  concentration  after  the  progressive  incremental cycling  test  to  exhaustion  (r  =  –0.625,  p  <  0.05).  However,  we  did  not  find  a  significant  correlation  between cycling performance and VO 2 max (r = –0.024, p > 0.05) and composite alactic anaerobic glycolytic power output (r = –0.269, p > 0.05). Discussion and conclusions. Our findings suggest that alactic anaerobic power output and active glycolysis play a very important role in off-road cycling performance. This is essential because of the fast starting phase of the race and steep climbs.Keywords: mountain bike, cycling, performance, power output, maximal oxygen uptake.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 118
Author(s):  
Anderson Pontes Morales ◽  
Felipe Sampaio-Jorge ◽  
Thiago Barth ◽  
Alessandra Alegre De Matos ◽  
Luiz Felipe Da Cruz Rangel ◽  
...  

Introduction: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that caffeine supplementation (6 mg·kg-1 body mass) for 4-days, followed by acute intake, would impact five male triathletes output power after performed submaximal intensity exercise. Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study, placebo (4-day) - placebo (acute) PP, placebo (4-days) -caffeine (acute) PC, and caffeine (4-day) - caffeine (acute) CC. Participants abstained from dietary caffeine sources for 4 days and ingested capsules containing either placebo or caffeine (6 mg.kg-1 body mass day in one absorption). The acute trials the capsules containing placebo or caffeine (6 mg.kg-1 body mass day in one absorption) were ingested 60min before completing exercise in a treadmill for 40min (80% VO2max) and to perform the Wingate test. Results: Blood lactate was determined before, 60min after ingestion, and immediately after the exercise on the treadmill, the Wingate test, and after the recovery (10-min). CC and PC trials did not change the cardiopulmonary variables (P>0.05) and the anaerobic power variables (peak/mean power output and fatigue index) (P>0.05). The PC trial compared with PP promoted improvements in the curve power output in 2 sec by 31.19% (large effect-size d = 1.08; P<0.05) and 3 sec by 20% (large effect-size d = 1.19; P<0.05). A 10min recovery was not sufficient to reduce blood lactate concentration in the PC trial compared with PP (PC, 13.73±2.66 vs. PP, 10.26±1.60 mmol.L-1; P<0.05, respectively) (P<0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, these results indicate that caffeine supplementation (6 mg·kg-1 body mass) for 4 days, followed by acute ingestion, did not impact the triathletes output power after performed submaximal intensity exercise. Nutritional interventions may help researchers and athletes to adapt strategies for manipulating caffeine use.Key-words: caffeine metabolism, Wingate test, blood lactate, performance.


1988 ◽  
Vol 65 (5) ◽  
pp. 2343-2348 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Williams ◽  
W. S. Barnes ◽  
J. F. Signorile

A constant-load cycle ergometer was constructed that allows maximal power output to be measured for each one-half pedal revolution during brief, high-intensity exercise. To determine frictional force, an electronic load cell was attached to the resistance strap and the ergometer frame. Dead weights were attached to the strap's free end. Flywheel velocity was recorded by means of a magnetic switch and two magnets placed on the pedal sprocket. Pedaling resulted in magnetically activated switch closures, which produced two electronic pulses per pedal revolution. Pulses and load cell output were recorded (512 Hz), digitized, and stored on disk via microcomputer. Power output was later computed for each pair of adjacent pulses, representing average power per one-half pedal revolution. Power curves generated for each subject were analyzed for peak power output (the highest one-half pedal revolution average), time to peak power, power fatigue rate and index, average power, and total work. Thirty-eight males performed two 15-s tests separated by 15 min (n = 16) or 48 h (n = 22). Peak power output ranged from 846.0 to 1,289.1 W. Intraclass correlation analysis revealed high test-retest reliability for all parameters recorded on the same or different days (R = 0.91-0.97). No significant differences (P greater than 0.05) were noted between parameter means of the first and second tests. These results indicate that the ergometer described provides a means for conveniently and reliably assessing short-term power output and fatigue.


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