Power output, cadence, and torque are similar between the forward standing and traditional sprint cycling positions

Abstract

Purpose: Compare power output, cadence, and torque in the seated, standing, and forward standing cycling sprint positions. Methods: On three separated occasions (ie, one for each position), 11 recreational male road cyclists performed a 14 seconds sprint before and directly after a high-intensity lead-up. Power output, cadence, and torque were measured during each sprint. Results: No significant differences in peak and mean power output were observed between the forward standing (1125.5 ± 48.5 W and 896.0 ± 32.7 W, respectively) and either the seated or standing positions (1042.5 ± 46.8 W and 856.5 ± 29.4 W;1175.4 ± 44.9 W and 927.5 ± 28.9 W, respectively). Power output was higher in the standing, compared with the seated position. No difference was observed in cadence between positions. At the start of the sprint before the lead-up, peak torque was higher in the standing position vs the forward standing position; and peak torque occurred later in the pedal revolution for both the forward standing and standing positions when compared with the seated position. At the start of the sprint after the lead-up, peak torque occurred later in the forward standing position when compared with both the seated and standing position. At the end of the sprint, no difference in torque was found between the forward standing and standing position either before or after the lead-up. Conclusion: Sprinting in the forward standing sprint position does not impair power output, cadence, and torque when compared with the seated and standing sprint positions. K E Y W O R D S cyclist, fatigue, performance, seated and standing position, sprinting How to cite this article: Merkes PFJ, Menaspà P, Abbiss CR. Power output, cadence, and torque are similar between the forward standing and traditional sprint cycling positions. Scand J Med Sci Sports.

Sprinting in road cycling – literature review

“…Standing while sprinting has a positive effect on power output when compared with a seated position (Bertucci et al, 2005;Bertucci et al, 2008;Merkes et al, 2020;Millet et al, 2002;Reiser et al, 2002;Rohsler et al, 2020). For example, Reiser and colleagues (Reiser et al, 2002) observed a 6 to 8% improvement in peak and mean power output while standing (19.4 and 11.0 W•kg-1, respectively) during a 30 s Wingate, compared with sitting (17.9 and 10.4 W•kg-1, respectively).…”

The influence of bicycle lean on maximal power output during sprint cycling

“…Scientists often measure a cyclist's maximal power on a traditional stationary ergometer (e.g. Reiser et al (2002); Dorel et al (2005); Gardner et al (2007); Hug et al (2011); Merkes et al (2020)). But unlike a bicycle, ergometers typically cannot lean from side-to-side.…”

Cycling Biomechanics and Its Relationship to Performance

“…The power output depends on the time course of the forces applied on the pedal, and these forces may be oriented in very different ways while producing the same torque output. Different positions, by changing saddle height or using different orientation of the trunk, could also lead to a similar output power [6].…”

“…The diverse environmental factors present in the field (e.g., terrain unevenness, wind speeds) may also affect the cycling performances [13,14]. Despite these limitations, laboratory testing has been proven to provide accurate modeling and evaluation of the cycling performance and may even allow for the prediction of competition scenarios [6,15,16].…”