Optimising distribution of power during a cycling time trial

The Effect of Variable Gradients on Pacing in Cycling Time-Trials

“…Comparison with the theoretical predictions of previous studies is problematic as there has been no standardisation of power output strategies or gradient proÞ les on which the e ectiveness is dependent. For example, variable power output levels have been Þ xed at ± 5 % of 224 W [3] and ± 20 % of 435 W [7] while mean power output variance in this study was ± 27 % of 255 W. The average climbing / descending gradient is the second parameter critical to the amount of time saved. Fixed gradients have been speciÞ ed in previous studies, e. g. Atkinson et al .…”

“…The time advantage of a variable power output strategy has been proposed to be proportional to the magnitude and frequency of changes in environmental resistive forces [2] . Consequently, changes in gradient have been predicted to have the most frequent implications for pacing strategy [7] and are therefore the focus of this study. The principle behind a constant speed pacing strategy is that the fastest time between two points is achieved by varying power output in response to changes in the course gradient [7,15] .…”

“…Consequently, changes in gradient have been predicted to have the most frequent implications for pacing strategy [7] and are therefore the focus of this study. The principle behind a constant speed pacing strategy is that the fastest time between two points is achieved by varying power output in response to changes in the course gradient [7,15] . For example, on an undulating time-trial course, a constant power output strategy results in more time spent on the ascents compared to the descents.…”

“…These researchers calculated that a variable power output strategy would reduce race time by 8 % . Gordon [7] modelled a 40 km course with 20 symmetrical climb / descents of 2.5 % and obtained a time saving of 1.6 % compared to an equivalent constant power output strategy. The lesser time saving of Gordon [7] reß ects the reduced gradient proÞ le and emphasises the importance of a large gradient variance if the advantage of a variable power output strategy is to be realised.…”

“…Gordon [7] modelled a 40 km course with 20 symmetrical climb / descents of 2.5 % and obtained a time saving of 1.6 % compared to an equivalent constant power output strategy. The lesser time saving of Gordon [7] reß ects the reduced gradient proÞ le and emphasises the importance of a large gradient variance if the advantage of a variable power output strategy is to be realised. Thus, whilst performance improvement has been calculated in previous studies by adopting a variable power output strategy on an undulating…”