ABSTRACT
Gross efficiency (GE) and the index of pedal force effectiveness (IFE) are important factors that enhance cyclists' performance; however, the effects of changing pedal force (gear ratio) and cadence on these indices while riding on a road racing bicycle are poorly investigated. This study aimed to examine the effect of changing gear ratio or cadence on GE and IFE using a road racing bicycle. Nine male cyclists completed graded submaximal cycling tests (five stages of 4 min submaximal cycling sessions with 1 min passive rest intervals). The work rate of each stage was determined using two principles: changing gear ratio at a fixed cadence and changing cadence at a fixed gear ratio. We determined GE and IFE using respiratory variables and pedal reaction forces, respectively. Increasing the gear ratio improved GE, and was associated with the IFE. Although increasing the cadence slightly improved GE from the initial level, the increased values then mostly maintained. IFE was almost stable even when cadence increased. Moreover, no significant correlation was observed between the changes in GE and IFE accompanied by increasing cadence. Our data indicate that an increasing gear ratio, but not cadence, may affect GE and IFE while riding on a road racing bicycle.
ABSTRACT
Cycling technique is steeped in cultural lore. One deeply held belief is that "pulling up" to lift the leg (increased muscular leg flexion) will optimize technique and improve efficiency. In contrast, scientific evidence suggests that when cyclists are instructed to pull-up efficiency decreases. However, such interventions may not have allowed sufficient time for cyclists to adapt and refine their technique. This case study documented how a cyclist with a complete unilateral limb amputation consumed metabolic power to produce mechanical power during single-leg cycling. The cyclist was a four time US National Paralympic Champion who performed single-leg cycling for 7 yr and thus was fully adapted to pull up. We hypothesized that a counterweight system, which reduced the requirement to pull up, would decrease metabolic power and increase efficiency for this cyclist. The cyclist performed submaximal cycling (100, 135, 170, 205 W, 80 rpm, 5 min) with and without a counterweight (10 kg) on the unused crank. Expired gases were measured, and metabolic power and gross efficiency were calculated. Metabolic power decreased on average by 87 ± 7 W (P < 0.001) and gross efficiency increased from 16.3 ± 1.9 to 18.0 ± 1.8% (P < 0.001) when cycling with the counterweight. During counterweighted single-leg cycling, the metabolic power of unloaded cycling decreased (317 vs. 238 W) and delta efficiency was similar (25.2 vs. 25.5%). Results demonstrated that significant metabolic power was associated with pulling up to produce muscular leg flexion power even in a cyclist who pulled up substantially during cycling. Our findings confirm observations from previous studies that altered pedaling technique acutely and indicate that pulling up during cycling is less efficient.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study offers unique insight into pedaling technique and provides the "final nail in the coffin" to the notion that pulling up improves cycling efficiency. When the requirement for pulling up was reduced with the counterweight, the cyclist immediately benefited as the cost to move the limb decreased and gross efficiency increased. These case study results along with previous research suggest that, in general, cyclists should not adopt pedaling techniques, which increase the action of pulling up.
Subject(s)
Amputees , Bicycling , Humans , Muscle, Skeletal , Oxygen Consumption , Range of Motion, ArticularABSTRACT
O objetivo deste estudo foi testar uma metodologia para o ensino da técnica da pedalada do ciclismo utilizando variáveis biomecánicas para desenvolver um sistema de "feedback" visual aumentado (FVA). Participaram do estudo 19 indivíduos, sem experiência no ciclismo , divididos em grupo experimental (n = 10) e controle (n = 9). Inicialmente foi realizado um pré-teste para determinar o consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2máx) bem como a carga de trabalho utilizada nas sessões práticas que correspondeu a 60% do VO2máx. Em seguida foram realizadas sete sessões de prática. O grupo experimental foi submetido ao FVA e o grupo controle ao "feedback" aumentado (FA). O teste de retenção mostrou um aumento de 21 % na média do índice de efetividade (IE) do grupo experimental quando comparado ao grupo controle. Os resultados mostraram que variáveis biomecánicas são apropriadas para o desenvolvimento de FVA e podem contribuir no processo de ensino-aprendizagem da técnica da pedalada do ciclismo.
The aim of this study was to test a methodology to teach the pedaling technique of cycling using biomechanics variables to develop an augmented visual feedback system (AVF). Nineteen subjects divided in two groups (experimental = 10 and control = 9) without experience in cycling were used. A pre-test was conducted to determine the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2máx) , and to establishe the work load to be used during the learning sessions which was defined to be the load that was associated with the 60% of VO2máx . Seven practice sessions were held. The experimental group was submitted to AVF and the control group to augmented feedback (AF). After the practice sessions, the retention test showed a significant increase in the index of effectiveness (IE) for the experimental group of 21% compared to the control group. These results showed that the biomechanics variables were appropriated to the development the AVF system and can contribute in the process pedaling technique learning.
El objetivo de este estudio fue probar una metodología para enseñar la técnica de el ciclismo mediante la utilización de variables biomecánicas para desarrollar un sistema de feedback visual aumentado (FVA). Fue aplicado en 19 personas sin experiencia en el ciclismo, divididos en dos grupos (experimental = 10 y control = 9). Inicialmente se realizó un pre-test para determinar el consumo máximo de oxígeno (VO2max) y la carga de trabajo utilizada en las sesiones de práctica que correspondía al 60% del VO2máx. El grupo experimental fue sometido a la FVA y el control a la feedback aumentado (FA). El ensayo de retención mostró un aumento del 21% en la media del índice de eficacia (IE) en el grupo experimental en comparación con el grupo control. Los resultados mostraron que las variables biomecánicas son apropiadas para el desarrollo de la FVA y puede contribuir al proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje del ciclismo.
