Affiliations: [a] School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of
Exeter, Exeter, UK | [b] Chelsea School, University of Brighton, Brighton,
UK
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Dr. C.A. Williams, School of Sport
and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, St Luke's Campus, Heavitree Road,
Exeter EX1 2LU, UK. Tel.: +44 1392 264890; Fax: +44 1392 264726; E-mail:
c.a.williams@exeter.ac.uk
Abstract: Previous studies of cycling power output have typically been
conducted on cycle ergometers, which cannot control the cadence or inertial
properties. Therefore, nine female adults (mean age 21.2 ± 0.9 y) each
completed five different all out short-term cycle sprint tests. The first test
consisted of an isokinetic force-velocity test to determine the optimal pedal
cadence (C_{opt}) at which maximum peak power was recorded.
C_{opt} was determined by seven sprints of 6 s duration and
interspersed by a five minute rest. Power-cadence data produces a known
parabola curve whose apex represents C_{opt}. Thereafter,
and on separate days and randomly chosen, three isokinetic cycle tests of 30 s
duration at three different cadences 90 and 150 rev
·min^{-1}, at optimal cadence
(C_{opt}) and a traditional 30 s Wingate test (WAnT) against
a pre-set load of 0.09 kg · kg^{-1} body mass were
performed. Oxygen uptake throughout the latter four tests was obtained.
Measures of maximal power (P_{max}), mean power over 30 s
(MP30 s) and � O_2 were recorded. The optimal cadence
was 114 ± 6 rev ·min^{-1}. The
P_{max} for C_{opt} (694 ± 111 W)
was found to be significantly higher compared to 150 rev ·
min^{-1} and WAnT (555 ± 144 and 629 ± 132 W
respectively, p<0.05). For MP30 s the 150 rev
·min^{-1} maximal sprint (251 ± 96 W) was
found to be significantly lower compared to the C_{opt} and
WAnT (462 ± 76 and 440 ± 80 W respectively, p < 0.05). No
significant differences were found for � O_2 between
any of the tests (P > 0.05). In conclusion, these results demonstrate the
importance of the optimal cadence in maximising the P_{max}
score compared to other pre-set cadences.
