Optimal Resistive Forces for Maximizing the Reliability of Leg Muscles’ Capacities Tested on a Cycle Ergometer

Abstract

This study determined the optimal resistive forces for testing muscle capacities through the standard cycle ergometer test (1 resistive force applied) and a recently developed 2-point method (2 resistive forces used for force-velocity modelling). Twenty-six men were tested twice on maximal sprints performed on a leg cycle ergometer against 5 flywheel resistive forces (R1-R5). The reliability of the cadence and maximum power measured against the 5 individual resistive forces, as well as the reliability of the force-velocity relationship parameters obtained from the selected 2-point methods (R1-R2, R1-R3, R1-R4, and R1-R5), were compared. The reliability of outcomes obtained from individual resistive forces was high except for R5. As a consequence, the combination of R1 (≈175 rpm) and R4 (≈110 rpm) provided the most reliable 2-point method (CV: 1.46%-4.04%; ICC: 0.89-0.96). Although the reliability of power capacity was similar for the R1-R4 2-point method (CV: 3.18%; ICC: 0.96) and the standard test (CV: 3.31%; ICC: 0.95), the 2-point method should be recommended because it also reveals maximum force and velocity capacities. Finally, we conclude that the 2-point method in cycling should be based on 2 distant resistive forces, but avoiding cadences below 110 rpm.

The addition of very light loads into the routine testing of the bench press increases the reliability of the force–velocity relationship

“…Based on these results, a general recommendation for accurately determining the F–V relationship is to have one point as close as possible to the force-intercept and another point as close as possible to the velocity-intercept. However, it is important to note that the optimal magnitude of the extreme points of the F–V relationship should be carefully determined for each exercise since very extreme points could present a low reliability (e.g., velocities lower than 110 revolutions per minute in the leg cycle ergometer exercise are not recommended; ( García-Ramos et al, 2018a ) and, consequently, their use could compromise the accuracy of the F–V relationship.…”

“…In this regard, it has been proposed that each subject presents an optimal balance between F 0 and V 0 capacities and, consequently, the ratio between F 0 and V 0 (i.e., F–V slope) can be used to implement individualized resistance training programs ( Morin & Samozino, 2016 ; Samozino et al, 2012 ). Due to the undeniable importance of the outcomes of the F–V relationship (i.e., F 0 , V 0 , F–V slope, and P max ), a number of studies have been conducted to refine the testing procedure of the F–V relationship in different exercises ( Alcazar et al, 2017 ; García-Ramos et al, 2017 , 2018a ; Lemaire et al, 2014 ; Pérez-Castilla et al, 2018 ).…”

Using Drop Jumps and Jump Squats to Assess Eccentric and Concentric Force-Velocity Characteristics

“…Future researchers should therefore assess the reliability of the eccentric Fv characteristics measured through a series of DJ tasks. It has recently been shown that the use of the two most distant loads may not be appropriate when using the two-point method to determine the Fv characteristics during a cycling task, as very high loads typically have low reliability [22]. Low reliability in the average force and velocity variables may be expected at greater drop heights, further limiting the drop heights selected when assessing eccentric Fv characteristics.…”

Peer Review #1 of "The addition of very light loads into the routine testing of the bench press increases the reliability of the force–velocity relationship (v0.1)"

“…Based on these results, a general recommendation for accurately determining the F-V relationship is to have one point as close as possible to the forceintercept and another point as close as possible to the velocity-intercept. However, it is important to note that the optimal magnitude of the extreme points of the F-V relationship should be carefully determined for each exercise since very extreme points could present a low reliability (e.g., velocities lower than revolutions per minute in the leg cycle ergometer exercise are not recommended; (García-Ramos et al, 2018a) and, consequently, their use could compromise the accuracy of the F-V relationship.…”

“…In this regard, it has been proposed that each subject presents an optimal balance between F 0 and V 0 capacities and, consequently, the ratio between F 0 and V 0 (i.e., F-V slope) can be used to implement individualized resistance training programs (Morin & Samozino, 2016;Samozino et al, 2012). Due to the undeniable importance of the outcomes of the F-V relationship (i.e., F 0 , V 0 , F-V slope, and P max ), a number of studies have been conducted to refine the testing procedure of the F-V relationship in different exercises (Alcazar et al, 2017;García-Ramos et al, 2017;García-Ramos et al, 2018a;Lemaire et al, 2014;Pérez-Castilla et al, 2018).…”