TY - JOUR
T1 - Effect of gradient on cycling gross efficiency and technique
AU - Arkesteijn, Marco
AU - Jobson, Simon A.
AU - Hopker, James
AU - Passfield, Louis
PY - 2013/5/1
Y1 - 2013/5/1
N2 - Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of gradient on cycling gross efficiency and pedaling technique. Methods: Eighteen trained cyclists were tested for efficiency, index of pedal force effectiveness (IFE), distribution of power production during the pedal revolution (dead center size [DC]), and timing and level of muscle activity of eight leg muscles. Cycling was performed on a treadmill at gradients of 0% (level), 4%, and 8%, each at three different cadences (60, 75, and 90 rev·min-1). Results: Efficiency was significantly decreased at a gradient of 8% compared with both 0% and 4% (P < 0.05). The relationship between cadence and efficiency was not changed by gradient (P > 0.05). At a gradient of 8%, there was a larger IFE between 45 and 225 and larger DC, compared with 0% and 4% (P < 0.05). The onset of muscle activity for vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, gastrocnemius lateralis, and gastrocnemius medialis occurred earlier with increasing gradient (all P < 0.05), whereas none of the muscles showed a change in offset (P > 0.05). Uphill cycling increased the overall muscle activity level (P < 0.05), mainly induced by increased calf muscle activity. Conclusions: These results suggest that uphill cycling decreases cycling gross efficiency and is associated with changes in pedaling technique.
AB - Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of gradient on cycling gross efficiency and pedaling technique. Methods: Eighteen trained cyclists were tested for efficiency, index of pedal force effectiveness (IFE), distribution of power production during the pedal revolution (dead center size [DC]), and timing and level of muscle activity of eight leg muscles. Cycling was performed on a treadmill at gradients of 0% (level), 4%, and 8%, each at three different cadences (60, 75, and 90 rev·min-1). Results: Efficiency was significantly decreased at a gradient of 8% compared with both 0% and 4% (P < 0.05). The relationship between cadence and efficiency was not changed by gradient (P > 0.05). At a gradient of 8%, there was a larger IFE between 45 and 225 and larger DC, compared with 0% and 4% (P < 0.05). The onset of muscle activity for vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, gastrocnemius lateralis, and gastrocnemius medialis occurred earlier with increasing gradient (all P < 0.05), whereas none of the muscles showed a change in offset (P > 0.05). Uphill cycling increased the overall muscle activity level (P < 0.05), mainly induced by increased calf muscle activity. Conclusions: These results suggest that uphill cycling decreases cycling gross efficiency and is associated with changes in pedaling technique.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84876698714&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1249/MSS.0b013e31827d1bdb
DO - 10.1249/MSS.0b013e31827d1bdb
M3 - Article
C2 - 23247716
AN - SCOPUS:84876698714
VL - 45
SP - 920
EP - 926
JO - Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
JF - Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
SN - 0195-9131
IS - 5
ER -