Abstract:Introduction
This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a 6‐week cycling‐specific, isometric resistance training program on peak power output (PPO) in elite cyclists.
Methods
Twenty‐four elite track sprint cyclists were allocated to EXP (n = 13, PPO, 1537 ± 307 W) and CON (n = 11, PPO, 1541 ± 389 W) groups. All participants completed a 6‐week training program; training content was identical except participants in the EXP group replaced their usual compound lower body resistance training exercise with a cycling… Show more
“…via varied prescription or the introduction of novel methods) in training stimuli to achieve further increases in maximal power [112,118,121,122]. For example, novel strategies such as velocity-based training [123,124], eccentric training [125][126][127][128], isometric training [74] and electromyostimulation [129,130] incorporated alongside traditional strength training may be effective in inducing further increases in maximal and high-velocity force production (e.g. via enhanced neural adaptations, preferential fast twitch fibre hypertrophy and increased muscle-tendon unit stiffness) in strength trained individuals.…”
“…An evenly mixed distribution of fast and slow twitch fibres across agonist musculature has been proposed to produce an optimal cadence of around 120 rpm in healthy non-power trained adults [ 30 , 31 , 45 , 72 ]. Power trained athletes and individuals genetically endowed with a high proportion of fast twitch fibres may exhibit optimal cadences of 130 rpm and above [ 72 – 74 ]. Fig.…”
Section: Maximal Cycling Powermentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Isokinetic cycling may be an especially effective means to maximise the transfer of general strength to cycling-specific force and power production at a given pedalling rate [ 105 ]; however, evidence supporting the utility of this modality is scarce. Alternatively, recent evidence indicates that cycling-specific isometric training can increase maximum cycling force and power production in elite sprint cyclists [ 74 ]. Resistive forces are readily modifiable within track cycling (e.g.…”
Maximal muscular power production is of fundamental importance to human functional capacity and feats of performance. Here, we present a synthesis of literature pertaining to physiological systems that limit maximal muscular power during cyclic actions characteristic of locomotor behaviours, and how they adapt to training. Maximal, cyclic muscular power is known to be the main determinant of sprint cycling performance, and therefore we present this synthesis in the context of sprint cycling. Cyclical power is interactively constrained by force-velocity properties (i.e. maximum force and maximum shortening velocity), activation-relaxation kinetics and muscle coordination across the continuum of cycle frequencies, with the relative influence of each factor being frequency dependent. Muscle cross-sectional area and fibre composition appear to be the most prominent properties influencing maximal muscular power and the power-frequency relationship. Due to the role of muscle fibre composition in determining maximum shortening velocity and activation-relaxation kinetics, it remains unclear how improvable these properties are with training. Increases in maximal muscular power may therefore arise primarily from improvements in maximum force production and neuromuscular coordination via appropriate training. Because maximal efforts may need to be sustained for ~15-60 s within sprint cycling competition, the ability to attenuate fatigue-related power loss is also critical to performance. Within this context, the fatigued state is characterised by impairments in force-velocity properties and activation-relaxation kinetics. A suppression and leftward shift of the power-frequency relationship is subsequently observed. It is not clear if rates of power loss can be improved with training, even in the presence adaptations associated with fatigue-resistance. Increasing maximum power may be most efficacious for improving sustained power during brief maximal efforts, although the inclusion of sprint interval training likely remains beneficial. Therefore, evidence from sprint cycling indicates that brief maximal muscular power production under cyclical conditions can be readily improved via appropriate training, with direct implications for sprint cycling as well as other athletic and health-related pursuits.
“…via varied prescription or the introduction of novel methods) in training stimuli to achieve further increases in maximal power [112,118,121,122]. For example, novel strategies such as velocity-based training [123,124], eccentric training [125][126][127][128], isometric training [74] and electromyostimulation [129,130] incorporated alongside traditional strength training may be effective in inducing further increases in maximal and high-velocity force production (e.g. via enhanced neural adaptations, preferential fast twitch fibre hypertrophy and increased muscle-tendon unit stiffness) in strength trained individuals.…”
“…An evenly mixed distribution of fast and slow twitch fibres across agonist musculature has been proposed to produce an optimal cadence of around 120 rpm in healthy non-power trained adults [ 30 , 31 , 45 , 72 ]. Power trained athletes and individuals genetically endowed with a high proportion of fast twitch fibres may exhibit optimal cadences of 130 rpm and above [ 72 – 74 ]. Fig.…”
Section: Maximal Cycling Powermentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Isokinetic cycling may be an especially effective means to maximise the transfer of general strength to cycling-specific force and power production at a given pedalling rate [ 105 ]; however, evidence supporting the utility of this modality is scarce. Alternatively, recent evidence indicates that cycling-specific isometric training can increase maximum cycling force and power production in elite sprint cyclists [ 74 ]. Resistive forces are readily modifiable within track cycling (e.g.…”
Maximal muscular power production is of fundamental importance to human functional capacity and feats of performance. Here, we present a synthesis of literature pertaining to physiological systems that limit maximal muscular power during cyclic actions characteristic of locomotor behaviours, and how they adapt to training. Maximal, cyclic muscular power is known to be the main determinant of sprint cycling performance, and therefore we present this synthesis in the context of sprint cycling. Cyclical power is interactively constrained by force-velocity properties (i.e. maximum force and maximum shortening velocity), activation-relaxation kinetics and muscle coordination across the continuum of cycle frequencies, with the relative influence of each factor being frequency dependent. Muscle cross-sectional area and fibre composition appear to be the most prominent properties influencing maximal muscular power and the power-frequency relationship. Due to the role of muscle fibre composition in determining maximum shortening velocity and activation-relaxation kinetics, it remains unclear how improvable these properties are with training. Increases in maximal muscular power may therefore arise primarily from improvements in maximum force production and neuromuscular coordination via appropriate training. Because maximal efforts may need to be sustained for ~15-60 s within sprint cycling competition, the ability to attenuate fatigue-related power loss is also critical to performance. Within this context, the fatigued state is characterised by impairments in force-velocity properties and activation-relaxation kinetics. A suppression and leftward shift of the power-frequency relationship is subsequently observed. It is not clear if rates of power loss can be improved with training, even in the presence adaptations associated with fatigue-resistance. Increasing maximum power may be most efficacious for improving sustained power during brief maximal efforts, although the inclusion of sprint interval training likely remains beneficial. Therefore, evidence from sprint cycling indicates that brief maximal muscular power production under cyclical conditions can be readily improved via appropriate training, with direct implications for sprint cycling as well as other athletic and health-related pursuits.
“…The use of a custom-built isometric dynamometer and the specific protocol used to measure MVT, RTD and VA during knee extension is detailed elsewhere. 21 Briefly, the riders were positioned in a custom-built dynamometer with hip and knee joint angles at 125 o and 115 o , respectively. A calibrated S-beam strain gauge (Force Logic, Swallowfield, UK) attached securely to the lower leg (~15% of tibial length above the medial malleolus) was used to measure knee extension force.…”
Section: Isometric Dynamometrymentioning
confidence: 99%
“…MVT could be a target of training programmes aimed at increasing W, and indeed sprint cyclists commonly commit large portions of their training programmes to resistance exercise. There is evidence that increasing (lower extremity) muscle strength is effective at increasing PPO, in elite cyclists, 21 and resistance exercise has emerged as the only efficacious training methodology that might evoke an increase in the W 15 and severe-intensity exercise performance without affecting CP. 15,16 Previous work 26 in an elite population suggested that muscle volume and architecture are potentially important determinants of PPO in elite athletes.…”
Section: Relationship Of Neuromuscular Measures and Wmentioning
Purpose: To assess the association between the W′ and measures of neuromuscular function relating to the capacity of skeletal muscle to produce force in a group of elite cyclists. Methods: Twenty-two athletes specializing in a range of disciplines and competing internationally volunteered to participate. Athletes completed assessments of maximum voluntary torque (MVT), voluntary activation, and isometric maximum voluntary contraction to measure rate of torque development (RTD). This was followed by assessment of peak power output (PPO) and 3-, 5-, and 12-minute time trials to determine critical power. Pearson correlation was used to examine associations with critical power and W′. Goodness of fit was calculated, and significant relationships were included in a linear stepwise regression model. Results: Significant positive relationships were evident between W′ and MVT (r = .82), PPO (r = .70), and RTD at 200 milliseconds (r = .59) but not with RTD at 50 milliseconds and voluntary activation. Correlations were also observed between critical power and RTD at 200 milliseconds and MVT (r = .54 and r = .51, respectively) but not with PPO, voluntary activation, or RTD at 50 milliseconds. The regression analysis found that 87% of the variability in W′ (F1,18 = 68.75; P < .001) was explained by 2 variables: MVT (81%) and PPO (6%). Conclusions: It is likely that muscle size and strength, as opposed to neural factors, contribute meaningfully to W′. These data can be used to establish training methods to enhance W′ to improve cycling performance in well-trained athletes.
The team sprint (TS) is a three‐lap pursuit and the most revered event in track sprint cycling. The opening lap of the TS is an important determinant to the overall performance. But despite it being the most controlled and repeatable task in track sprint cycling, very little data are available to better understand the performance of the opening lap. The aim of this study was split into three‐parts: part one, to better understand the profile and the indices thought to be determinants of the opening lap of the TS in elite sprint track cyclists. Part two of the study examined all available timing splits (15, 65, 125 and 250 m) from 36 standing‐start laps. Part three of the study examined the peak torque outputs and peak power outputs of different various starts performed over a 3‐month period. The results showed time to 125 m exhibited a near perfect relationship with starter lap performance. Very strong relationships were seen with 15 and 65 m split times and final lap performance. Peak torque of the lead starting leg and peak power output were shown to be highly predictive 15 m, 65 and 125 m performance in training. These data suggested the first 15 m is highly important and predicts a disproportionately high level of final opening lap time performance. Therefore, it is likely that peak power output normalised to system mass and peak torque of lead leg is a strong determinant of overall performance in the TS.
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