The Effect of Cadence on the Mechanics and Energetics of Constant Power Cycling

Abstract

At a constant power output, cyclists prefer to use a higher cadence than those that minimise metabolic cost. The neuromuscular mechanism underpinning the preferred higher cadence remains unclear. Purpose. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cadence on joint level work and vastus lateralis (VL) fascicle mechanics while cycling at a constant, submaximal, power output. We hypothesised that preferred cycling cadence would enhance the power capacity of the VL muscle when compared to a more economical cadence. Furthermore, we predicted that the most economical cadence would coincide with minimal total electromyographic activity from the leg muscles. Methods. Metabolic cost, lower limb kinematics, joint level work, VL fascicle mechanics, and muscle activation of the VL, rectus femoris, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius medialis and soleus muscles were measured during cycling at a constant power output of 2.5 W/kg and cadences of 40, 60, 80 and 100 revolutions per minute (RPM). A preferred condition was also performed where cadence feedback was hidden from the participant. Results. Metabolic cost was lowest at 60 RPM, but the mean preferred cadence was 81 RPM. The distribution of joint work remained constant across cadences, with the majority of positive work being performed at the knee. The preferred cadence coincided with the highest VL power capacity, without a significant penalty to efficiency, based on fascicle shortening velocity. Conclusions. Cycling at a higher cadence is preferred to ensure that the muscle's ability to produce positive power remains high. Further investigations are required to examine what feedback mechanism could be responsible for the optimisation of this motor pattern.

NIRS-derived skeletal muscle oxidative capacity is correlated with aerobic fitness and independent of sex

“…While the MG (or lateral gastrocnemius) is commonly assessed in studies utilizing NIRS-derived muscle oxidative capacity (28,43,45,47,49), the VL is commonly assessed in studies using muscle biopsy-derived measures of oxidative capacity (8,19,21,39,44). Given that the quadriceps muscle group contributes significantly more to cycling PO than the gastrocnemius (5,14,41), the lack of a relationship between the oxidative capacities of the two muscle groups in the present study leads us to propose that future studies related to cycling assess the oxidative capacity of the VL instead of, or in addition to, the gastrocnemius.…”

The effects of crank power and cadence on muscle fascicle shortening velocities, muscle activations and joint-powers during cycling

“…We also explored how muscle activation varies across crank power and cadence conditions. Based on the study by Brennan (Brennan et al 2019), we hypothesized that there would be little change in the VL fascicle shortening velocity at the SSC for different external powers, which would support the idea that people prefer to cycle at cadences that maximize the power generating capacity of the muscles that contribute most strongly to the task. We expected that the power contribution of the knee extensors would also decrease with increased crank power requirements.…”

“…A good example of this is during walking or submaximal running (i.e., below lactate threshold), where people tend to locomote at a step frequency near that which minimizes the metabolic energy cost. However, people do not show the same behavior when riding a bicycle, and tend to use higher cadences than the metabolically optimal one (Brisswalter et al 2000;Alejandro Lucia, Jesus Hoyos 2000; Anthony P. Marsh and Martin 1997;Brennan et al 2019). Apparently, other criteria besides energetic economy are at play in the self-selected pedaling rate during cycling.…”

“…There are several alternative factors that have been proposed to influence cadence selection in cycling (Anthony P. Marsh, Martin, and Sanderson 2000;Brennan et al 2019). For example, factors such as muscle activation (A. P. Marsh and Martin 1995;MacIntosh, Neptune, and Horton 2000;Neptune, Kautz, and Hull 1997;Sarre et al 2003;Takaishi et al 1996;Baum and Li 2003) and net joint moments (Neptune and Hull 1999;Hull and Gonzalez 1987;Anthony P. Marsh, Martin, and Sanderson 2000) were reportedly minimized at high cadences under submaximal conditions in experimental and simulated environments.…”

A 5-Minute Rest Period Weakens the Phenomenon of History Dependence of Freely Chosen Pedalling Cadence and Entails a Borderland Observation

“…Of note is that rest periods of 5 min are commonly applied in cycling studies where several consecutive bouts are performed (Brennan et al, 2019;Chavarren & Calbet, 1999;Marsh & Martin, 1998 Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to test whether history-dependent freely chosen pedalling rhythmicity occurred in a second pedalling bout, performed at a freely chosen cadence when a 5-min rest period was incorporated between that bout and an initial bout, which was performed at preset target cadence. In the case that history dependence (as it has been reported previously)…”