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Cycling efficiency and performance following short-term training using uncoupled cranks
Citation
Williams, AD and Selva Raj, I and Stucas, KL and Fell, JW and Dickenson, D and Gregory, JR, Cycling efficiency and performance following short-term training using uncoupled cranks, International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance , 4, (1) pp. 18-28. ISSN 1555-0265 (2009) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2009 Human Kinetics, Inc.
Official URL: http://www.humankinetics.com/
Abstract
Objectives: Uncoupled cycling cranks are designed to remove the ability of one leg to
assist the other during the cycling action. It has been suggested that training with this
type of crank can increase mechanical efficiency. However, whether these improvements
can confer performance enhancement in already well-trained cyclists has not
been reported. Method: Fourteen well-trained cyclists (13 males, 1 female; 32.4 ± 8.8
y; 74.5 ± 10.3 kg; Vo2max 60.6 ± 5.5 mL·kg−1·min−1; mean ± SD) participated in this
study. Participants were randomized to training on a stationary bicycle using either an
uncoupled (n = 7) or traditional crank (n = 7) system. Training involved 1-h sessions,
3 days per week for 6 weeks, and at a heart rate equivalent to 70% of peak power
output (PPO) substituted into the training schedule in place of other training. Vo2max,
lactate threshold, gross efficiency, and cycling performance were measured before
and following the training intervention. Pre- and posttesting was conducted using
traditional cranks. Results: No differences were observed between the groups for
changes in Vo2max, lactate threshold, gross efficiency, or average power maintained
during a 30-minute time trial. Conclusion: Our results indicate that 6 weeks (18 sessions)
of training using an uncoupled crank system does not result in changes in any
physiological or performance measures in well-trained cyclists.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | cyclists, training modality, PowerCranks, SmartCranks |
| Research Division: | Health Sciences |
| Research Group: | Sports science and exercise |
| Research Field: | Exercise physiology |
| Objective Division: | Expanding Knowledge |
| Objective Group: | Expanding knowledge |
| Objective Field: | Expanding knowledge in the environmental sciences |
| UTAS Author: | Williams, AD (Associate Professor Andrew Williams) |
| UTAS Author: | Selva Raj, I (Mr Isaac Selva Raj) |
| UTAS Author: | Stucas, KL (Miss Kristie Stucas) |
| UTAS Author: | Fell, JW (Associate Professor James Fell) |
| ID Code: | 52288 |
| Year Published: | 2009 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 4 |
| Deposited By: | Health Sciences A |
| Deposited On: | 2008-06-16 |
| Last Modified: | 2012-09-06 |
| Downloads: | 728 View Download Statistics |
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