Cyclists’ Improvement of Pedaling Efficacy and Performance After Heavy Strength Training

Abstract

The authors tested whether heavy strength training, including hip-flexion exercise, would reduce the extent of the phase in the crank revolution where negative or retarding crank torque occurs. Negative torque normally occurs in the upstroke phase when the leg is lifted by flexing the hip. Eighteen well-trained cyclists either performed 12 wk of heavy strength training in addition to their usual endurance training (E+S; n = 10) or merely continued their usual endurance training during the intervention period (E; n = 8). The strength training consisted of 4 lower body exercises (3 × 4-10 repetition maximum) performed twice a week. E+S enhanced cycling performance by 7%, which was more than in E (P = .02). Performance was determined as average power output in a 5-min all-out trial performed subsequent to 185 min of submaximal cycling. The performance enhancement, which has been reported previously, was here shown to be accompanied by improved pedaling efficacy during the all-out cycling. Thus, E+S shortened the phase where negative crank torque occurs by ~16°, corresponding to ~14%, which was more than in E (P = .002). In conclusion, adding heavy strength training to usual endurance training in well-trained cyclists improves pedaling efficacy during 5-min all-out cycling performed after 185 min of cycling.

Effects of short-term training combining strength and balance exercises on maximal strength and upright standing steadiness in elderly adults

“…In contrast to previous work reporting greater strength gain after multiple-set compared with single set protocols in both young (Borst et al, 2001;Hansen et al, 2012;Kraemer et al, 2000) and elderly adults (Galvão and Taaffe, 2005), an interesting finding from the present study is the lack of significant difference in strength gain between the two training programmes. There is, however, a trend for greater improvement after ST (+35.7%) than BT (+20.8%; effect size = 0.54) that is reversed when expressed as %gain per set of strength exercises involving the plantar flexor muscles (calf raises and leg press machines; ST: 0.7%/ set; BT: 1.6%/set).…”

“…In that context, a relevant parameter to address is the influence of the respective amount of balance and strength exercises to include in the training programme. Indeed, the extent of strength gain in response to strength training depends on the number of sets composing the training programme (Borst et al, 2001;Hansen et al, 2012;Kraemer et al, 2000) and, similarly, the amount of balance exercise determines in part the extent of the improvement in CoP steadiness (Howe et al, 2011).…”

Differences in pedalling technique between road cyclists of different competitive levels

“…Kinetic analysis was performed on a validated electromagnetically braked cycle ergometer (Lode Excalibur Sport, Lode BV, Groningen, Netherlands) (Reiser, Meyer, Kindermann, & Daugs, 2000), which allowed the measurement of the torque exerted on the left and right cranks independently every 2°of a complete revolution (Dorel, Couturier, & Hug, 2009;Hansen, Rønnestad, Vegge, & Raastad, 2012). Before starting the study, a dynamic calibration procedure was performed (Calibrator 2000, Lode BV, Groningen, Netherlands).…”

Differences in Pedaling Technique in Cycling: A Cluster Analysis

“…It is yet to be determined if the previously observed smaller eccentric components during cycling 33 may be larger given the aforementioned mechanism. Implications for training could be linked to an increased need for strength training for cycling 34 .…”