The Effect of Cadence on Cycling Efficiency and Local Tissue Oxygenation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare 3 cycling cadences in efficiency/economy, local tissue oxygen saturation, heart rate, blood lactate, and global and local rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Subjects were 14 trained cyclists/triathletes (mean age 30.1 ± 5.3 years; VO(2) peak 60.2 ± 5.0 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)) who performed three 8-minute cadence trials (60, 80, and 100 rpm) at 75% of previously measured peak power. Oxygen consumption and respiratory exchange ratio were used to calculate efficiency and economy. Results indicated that both efficiency and economy were higher at the lower cadences. Tissue oxygen saturation was greater at 80 rpm than at 60 or 100 rpm at minute 4, but at minute 8, tissue oxygen saturation at 80 rpm (57 ± 9%) was higher than 100 rpm (54 ± 9%, p = 0.017) but not at 60 rpm (55 ± 11%, p = 0.255). Heart rate and lactate significantly increased from minute 4 and minute 8 (p < 0.05) of submaximal cycling. Local RPE at 80 rpm was lower than at 60 or 100 rpm (p < 0.05). It was concluded that (a) Trained cyclists and triathletes are more efficient and economical when cycling at 60 rpm than 80 or 100 rpm. (b); Local tissue oxygen saturation levels are higher at 80 rpm than 60 and 100 rpm; (c). Heart rate and blood lactate levels are higher with cadences of 80 and 100 than 60 rpm; and (d). Local and global RPE is lower when cycling at 80 rpm than at 60 rpm and 100 rpm. A practical application of these findings is that a cadence of 60 rpm may be advantageous for performance in moderately trained athletes in contrast to higher cadences currently popular among elite cyclists.

The Effect of Different Cadence on Paddling Gross Efficiency and Economy in Stand-Up Paddle Boarding

“…Similarly, higher cadences may be related to greater instability, which would imply higher needs of muscle activation for postural control and would ultimately lead to higher energy consumption, and therefore, worse efficiency [ 45 ]. When compared to studies in other sports, our findings were in agreement with those of Neilsen et al [ 46 ] and Jacobs et al [ 20 ] in cycling, Gonzalez-Aramendi [ 24 ] in traditional rowing, and Kraaijenbrink et al [ 25 ] in hand cycling, as all of them found that lower cadences were related to better efficiency and economy values. In contrast, Lucia et al [ 21 ] and Mora-Rodriguez and Aguado-Jimenez [ 47 ] in cycling, or Goosey et al [ 26 ] in hand cycling reported that higher cadences were more efficient and economical.…”

“…Considering that this sport takes place in natural environments, with changing wind and waves, the paddling cadence during open sea SUP races may not be constant. Several studies in other sports have suggested that some cadences are more efficient than others [ 6 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. In the case of cyclists and triathletes, Jacobs et al [ 20 ] showed how lower cadences were more economical in trained subjects, while de Lucia et al [ 21 ] obtained opposite results with world-class cyclists.…”

“…Several studies in other sports have suggested that some cadences are more efficient than others [ 6 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. In the case of cyclists and triathletes, Jacobs et al [ 20 ] showed how lower cadences were more economical in trained subjects, while de Lucia et al [ 21 ] obtained opposite results with world-class cyclists. In hand cycling, Kraaijenbrink et al [ 25 ] obtained better efficiency values with low cadences than with high cadences, while Goosey et al [ 26 ] comparing two crank lengths with two different cadences, obtained higher economy values with a short crank (180 mm) and higher cadence (85rev.min−1).…”

The Effect of Pedaling Cadence on Skeletal Muscle Oxygenation During Cycling at Moderate Exercise Intensity

“…Numerous studies have also been performed to determine the optimal pedaling cadence for efficient cycling performance at a given power output. However, no clear consensus has been reached with some studies favoring a low cadence [23] and others a higher cadence [7], also highlighting the different responses observed between elite and recreational cyclists, where elite cyclists specifically train at high cadence [1,26,38]. Increasing cadence when exercising at T vent may affect skeletal muscle oxygenation [15], yet no study to date has explored the effect of altering cadence on TSI when cycling at T vent .…”

Determining optimal cadence for an individual road cyclist from field data

“…Many laboratory-based studies have sought to determine an optimal cadence (Coast & Welch, 1985 , 90–105 rpm; Eckermann & Millahn, 1967 , 30–60 rpm; Hagberg, Mullin, Giese, & Spitznagel, 1981 , 80–90 rpm; Wildrick, Freedson, & Hamill, 1992 , 35–57 rpm). Little consensus has emerged from these studies with some arguing that high cadences (preferred by professional cyclists) are optimal (Hagberg et al, 1981 ), that optimal cadence varies with work-rate (Foss & Hallen, 2004 ), or that high cadences are not optimal (Jacobs, Berg, Slivka, & Noble, 2013 ; Stebbins, Moore, & Casazza, 2014 ). There is some agreement that very high cadences are inefficient.…”