Effect of pedaling technique on muscle activity and cycling efficiency

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effect of talocrural joint position on muscle activity and gross mechanical efficiency (GE). Eleven trained cyclists participated in three randomized 6-min cycling bouts at approximately 80% of maximal aerobic capacity on an electromagnetically braked cycle ergometer while oxygen consumption and muscle activity (EMG) were monitored during the subject's self-selected pedaling technique (control) and while using a dorsi- and plantarflexed pedaling technique. The mean differences in range of motion of the dorsi- and plantarflexed technique from the control position were 7.1 +/- 4.4 and 6.9 +/- 5.4 degrees , respectively. Gastrocnemius EMG activity was higher with the dorsiflexion technique than when using the self-selected control position (33.2 +/- 13.0 and 24.2 +/- 8.4 microV s, respectively; P < 0.05). Moreover, GE was 2.6% lower while riding with the dorsiflexion technique than the control position (19.0 +/- 1.2 and 19.5 +/- 1.3%, respectively; P < 0.05). The data suggested that introducing more dorsiflexion into the pedal stroke of a trained cyclist increases muscle activity of the gastrocnemius lateralis and decreased GE when compared to the self-selected pedal stroke.

Improved Gross Efficiency during Long Duration Submaximal Cycling Following a Short-term High Carbohydrate Diet

“…A number of studies have investigated the laboratory practice of recording these measures [19,23,28,32], the impact of training status and interventions [1,7,15,16,17,26], gender [3,18], and adaptations that could result in improved efficiency [5,9,12,24,25,33]. Furthermore, it is suggested that there are potential performance benefits of improved efficiency as Jeukendrup and& Martin [21] calculated that increasing gross efficiency by 1%, for a 70 kg cyclist who can maintain a power output of 400 W for 1 h, would result in a 48s improvement for a timetrial over 40 km.…”

Efficiency in cycling: a review

“…Inset in e shows data fromChavarren and Calbet (1999), indicating effect of cadence (60-120 rpm). Studies presented in the figure:Cannon et al (2007),Chavarren and Calbet (1999),Coyle et al (1992),Coyle (2005),Delextrat et al (2003),Foss and Hallén (2004),Gaesser and Brooks (1975),Hansen et al (2002),Hintzy et al (2005), Hopker et al (2007,Horowitz et al (1994),Lucia et al (2002Lucia et al ( , 2004,Luhtanen et al (1987),Moseley and Jeukendrup (2001),Moseley et al (2004), Mora-Rodriguez and Aguado-Jimenez(2006);Mourot et al (2004);Nickleberry and Brooks (1996);Sallet et al (2006);Samozino et al (2006);Sidossis et al (1992); Unpublished dataElite; Unpublished-Trained;Widrick et al (1992);…”

Proposta metodológica para a avaliação da técnica da pedalada de ciclistas: estudo de caso

“…Desta forma, a aplicação de um protocolo utilizando um critério fisiológico como normalização da carga na avaliação da técnica da pedalada de ciclistas de elite tem sido proposto na literatura, permitindo que a carga do teste seja muito próxima à intensidade de competição (4,8,19) . Essa metodologia permite um aprimoramento dos trabalhos que fixaram uma mesma carga para todos os sujeitos (11,13,(16)(17)(18) , pois respeita as características fisiológicas individuais.…”

“…A maior parte dos estudos encontrados na literatura, envolvendo a avaliação da técnica da pedalada, utilizaram cargas fixas e iguais para todos os sujeitos, com valores variando entre 100 e 250 W (11,13,(16)(17)(18) . Entretanto, na maioria dos casos, estas cargas subestimam a intensidade do esforço de ciclistas de elite durante os treinamentos e, principalmente, as competições.Desta forma, a aplicação de um protocolo utilizando um critério fisiológico como normalização da carga na avaliação da técnica da pedalada de ciclistas de elite tem sido proposto na literatura, permitindo que a carga do teste seja muito próxima à intensidade de competição (4,8,19) . Essa metodologia permite um aprimoramento dos trabalhos que fixaram uma mesma carga para todos os sujeitos (11,13,(16)(17)(18) , pois respeita as características fisiológicas individuais.…”