The purpose of this study was to compare the pedalling technique in road cyclists of different competitive levels. Eleven professional, thirteen elite and fourteen club cyclists were assessed at the beginning of their competition season. Cyclists' anthropometric characteristics and bike measurements were recorded. Three sets of pedalling (200, 250 and 300 W) on a cycle ergometer that simulated their habitual cycling posture were performed at a constant cadence (~90 rpm), while kinetic and kinematic variables were registered. The results showed no differences on the main anthropometric variables and bike measurements. Professional cyclists obtained higher positive impulse proportion (1.5-3.3% and P < 0.05), mainly due to a lower resistive torque during the upstroke (15.4-28.7% and P < 0.05). They also showed a higher ankle range of movement (ROM, 1.1-4.0° and P < 0.05). Significant correlations (P < 0.05) were found between the cyclists' body mass and the kinetic variables of pedalling: positive impulse proportion (r = -0.59 to -0.61), minimum (r = -0.59 to -0.63) and maximum torques (r = 0.35-0.47). In conclusion, professional cyclists had better pedalling technique than elite and club cyclists, because they opted for enhancing pulling force at the recovery phase to sustain the same power output. This technique depended on cycling experience and level of expertise.

La eficiencia muscular (gruesa, neta y delta) es una variable determinante del rendimiento en ciclismo, y mejora con el entrenamiento. Ningún trabajo previo ha mostrado diferencias en eficiencia mecánica (index of effectiveness, cociente entre los impulsos mecánico propulsivo y total) entre ciclistas de diferente nivel competitivo. Este fue el principal objetivo del presente trabajo. Participaron 11 ciclistas profesionales y 23 ciclistas amateurs que realizaron pruebas a 200, 250 y 300 W de potencia (cadencia fija a 90 rpm). La fuerza y el impulso mecánico positivo y negativo durante el pedaleo, así como la cinemática 2D de la pierna derecha fueron registradas. Los resultados muestran que no existiendo diferencias en las medidas antropométricas y de las bicicletas de los dos grupos de ciclistas, los profesionales obtuvieron más de eficiencia mecánica que los amateurs (1.5%, 2.1% y 2.4%, respectivamente). Esto se debió fundamentalmente a su menor fuerza e impulso negativos a todas las potencias. El tobillo fue la única articulación que sistemáticamente modificó su patrón de movimiento con el incremento de potencia. La eficiencia mecánica de pedaleo es también un factor determinante del nivel de rendimiento deportivo en ciclismo. Futuros estudios deben analizar la influencia del entrenamiento en esta variable. Muscular efficiency (e.g. gross, net and delta efficiency) is a key factor of cycling performance, and it improves after a training period. No previous study showed differences on mechanical efficiency (e.g. index of effectiveness and positive/negative impulses ratio) between cyclists of different competition level. Eleven professional cyclists and twenty-three amateur cyclists participated in this study. They performed three sets of pedalling at 200, 250 and 300 W (90 rpm). Both torque and impulse (negative and positive) were registered simultaneously with 2D kinematics in the right leg. Results show similar anthropometrical characteristics and similar bicycle dimensions in the two groups. Professional cyclists obtained more mechanical efficiency than amateur cyclists (1.5%, 2.1% and 2.4%, respectively). The lower minimum torque and lower negative impulse at all intensities justified these differences. Ankle was the only one joint which systematically altered its movement pattern when intensity was increased. Mechanical efficiency is too a key factor of performance in cycling. Future studies should evaluate the influence of training on this variable.