Cycling efficiency and pedalling frequency in road cyclists.

J Chavarren, J A Calbet
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引用次数: 208

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of pedalling rate on cycling efficiency in road cyclists. Seven competitive road cyclists participated in the study. Four separate experimental sessions were used to determine oxygen uptake (VO(2)) and carbon dioxide output (VCO(2)) at six exercise intensities that elicited a VO(2) equivalent to 54, 63, 73, 80, 87 and 93% of maximum VO(2) (VO(2max)). Exercise intensities were administered in random order, separated by rest periods of 3-5 min; four pedalling frequencies (60, 80, 100 and 120 rpm) were randomly tested per intensity. The oxygen cost of cycling was always lower when the exercise was performed at 60 rpm. At each exercise intensity, VO(2) showed a parabolic dependence on pedalling rate (r = 0.99-1, all P < 0.01) with a curvature that flattened as intensity increased. Likewise, the relationship between power output and gross efficiency (GE) was also best fitted to a parabola (r = 0.94-1, all P < 0.05). Regardless of pedalling rate, GE improved with increasing exercise intensity (P < 0.001). Conversely, GE worsened with pedalling rate (P < 0.001). Interestingly, the effect of pedalling cadence on GE decreased as a linear function of power output (r = 0.98, n = 6, P < 0.001). Similar delta efficiency (DE) values were obtained regardless of pedalling rate [21.5 (0.8), 22.3 (1.2), 22.6 (0.6) and 23.9 (1.0)%, for the 60, 80, 100 and 120 rpm, mean (SEM) respectively]. However, in contrast to GE, DE increased as a linear function of pedalling rate (r = 0.98, P < 0.05). The rate at which pulmonary ventilation increased was accentuated for the highest pedalling rate (P < 0.05), even after accounting for differences in exercise intensity and VO(2) (P < 0.05). Pedalling rate per se did not have any influence on heart rate which, in turn, increased linearly with VO(2). These results may help us to understand why competitive cyclists often pedal at cadences of 90-105 rpm to sustain a high power output during prolonged exercise.

公路骑行者的骑行效率与蹬车频率。
本研究的目的是为了确定蹬车速度对公路自行车骑行效率的影响。七名公路自行车运动员参加了这项研究。在六种运动强度下,使用四个独立的实验阶段来确定氧摄取(VO(2))和二氧化碳输出(VCO(2)),这六种运动强度的VO(2)相当于最大VO(2) (VO(2max)的54,63,73,80,87和93%。运动强度按随机顺序进行,休息时间为3-5 min;每个强度随机测试四种踏板频率(60、80、100和120 rpm)。当运动速度为60rpm时,循环的氧气消耗总是较低。在每个运动强度下,VO(2)与蹬车率呈抛物线关系(r = 0.99-1,均P < 0.01),随着强度的增加,曲率趋于平缓。同样,功率输出与总效率(GE)之间的关系也最适合抛物线(r = 0.94-1,均P < 0.05)。无论蹬车速度如何,GE都随着运动强度的增加而改善(P < 0.001)。相反,GE随着蹬蹬率的增加而恶化(P < 0.001)。有趣的是,蹬车节奏对GE的影响随功率输出呈线性函数下降(r = 0.98, n = 6, P < 0.001)。无论蹬速如何,均获得了相似的δ效率(DE)值[60、80、100和120 rpm的平均值(SEM)分别为21.5(0.8)、22.3(1.2)、22.6(0.6)和23.9(1.0)%]。然而,与GE相比,DE随蹬蹬率的增加呈线性增加(r = 0.98, P < 0.05)。即使考虑到运动强度和VO(2)的差异(P < 0.05),最高蹬车率的肺通气增加率也有所增加(P < 0.05)。蹬车率本身对心率没有任何影响,而心率则随VO线性增加(2)。这些结果可能有助于我们理解为什么竞技自行车运动员经常以90-105 rpm的节奏蹬车,以在长时间的运动中保持高功率输出。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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