Cycling Economy

Introduction • Serious cyclists want to know what cadence they pedal most efficiently. • Common belief is that a cadence of 85-95 is optimal for Time Trial and Triathlon races • Some believe 100+ rpm to be optimal • Metabolic analysis of local bicycle racers was used to address this question.

Methods Trained cyclists worked at standardized workloads of:

2 watts/kg 2.5 watts/kg 3 watts/kg At three frequently used pedaling cadences

80 rpm 95 rpm 110 rpm VO2 was measured for each cadence at all three workloads

Results • Significant difference between 80 rpm and 110 rpm at 2 watts/kg • No other significant difference

Conclusions • Pedal cadence influenced breathing while performing standardized workloads • More oxygen inhaled at 110 rpm • 80 rpm data more efficient than 110 rpm at a workload of 2.0 watts/kg

Workload Economy at Common Cycling Cadences DANIEL MARTIN

Department of Health & Exercise Science. Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport, LA 71134.

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