Influence of road incline and body position on power–cadence relationship in endurance cycling

Abstract

In race cycling, the external power-cadence relationship at the performance level, that is sustainable for the given race distance, plays a key role. The two variables of interest from this relationship are the maximal external power output (P (max)) and the corresponding optimal cadence (C (opt)). Experimental studies and field observations of cyclists have revealed that when cycling uphill is compared to cycling on level ground, the freely chosen cadence is lower and a more upright body position seems to be advantageous. To date, no study has addressed whether P (max) or C (opt) is influenced by road incline or body position. Thus, the main aim of this study was to examine the effect of road incline (0 vs. 7%) and racing position (upright posture vs. dropped posture) on P (max) and C (opt). Eighteen experienced cyclists participated in this study. Experiment I tested the hypothesis that road incline influenced P (max) and C (opt) at the second ventilatory threshold ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]). Experiment II tested the hypothesis that the racing position influenced [Formula: see text], but not [Formula: see text]. The results of experiment I showed that [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] were significantly lower when cycling uphill compared to cycling on level ground (P < 0.01). Experiment II revealed that [Formula: see text] was significantly greater for the upright posture than for the dropped posture (P < 0.01) and that the racing position did not affect [Formula: see text]. The main conclusions of this study were that when cycling uphill, it is reasonable to choose (1) a lower cadence and (2) a more upright body position.

The Relationship Between Freely Chosen Cadence and Optimal Cadence in Cycling

“…14 From a theoretical perspective, cyclists should choose a cadence near C opt to maximize P ext for the given task or to minimize peripheral fatigue at a given P ext . Results from previous studies showed that both FCC 3 and C opt 18 were significantly lower during uphill cycling than during cycling on level ground with the same body position. Taken together, these results suggest that both FCC and C opt are affected in a similar way by road incline, but no study has addressed whether the difference between FCC and C opt is the same independent of road incline.…”

“…To improve the reliability of the measurements, the participants were asked to control a number of variables; for the details see Emanuele and Denoth. 14,18 The purpose of the first test session was to determine individual FCC and estimate the individual P ext at maximal lactate steady state (P MLSS ). The purpose of the second and third test sessions was to estimate C opt and P max at MLSS when cycling on level ground with DP and when cycling uphill with UP, respectively.…”

“…The determination of the lactate minimum power output (P LM ) using a lactate minimum test (LMT) is a reliable and valid method to predict P MLSS and therefore a good predictor of the specific endurance performance level that can be sustained for approximately 1 hour. 19,20 During the LMT, the participants cycled with UP and a constant cadence of 80 rpm, which corresponds to the mean C opt measured by Emanuele and Denoth 18 during cycling using an ergometer. The method used to determine P LM was based on Fontana et al 21 (Figure 1).…”

“…A study by Emanuele and Denoth 18 showed that the road incline not only decreased C opt but also decreased P max . In addition, that study showed that the change in body position from a dropped posture (DP) with the cyclist's hands on the drops of the handlebars and arms fully extended to an upright posture (UP) with the cyclist's hands on the top portion of the handlebars and arms fully extended significantly increased P max without affecting the corresponding C opt .…”

“…These results led to the conclusion that C opt and FCC should be lower and P max should be higher for uphill cycling with UP than for level-ground cycling with DP. 18 However, the influence of a simultaneous change in road incline and body position as seen in field observations of cyclists has not been analyzed in an experimental study.…”