Torque and Power-Velocity Relationships in Cycling: Relevance to Track Sprint Performance in World-Class Cyclists

• Published in: International journal of sports medicine 2005-11, Vol.26 (9), p.739-746
• Main Authors: Dorel, S., Hautier, C. A., Rambaud, O., Rouffet, D., Van Praagh, E., Lacour, J.-R., Bourdin, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Anthropometry; Bicycling - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Leg - physiology; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Physical Exertion - physiology; Task Performance and Analysis; Torque; Training & Testing; Vertebrates: body movement. Posture. Locomotion. Flight. Swimming. Physical exercise. Rest. Sports
• ISSN: 0172-4622; 1439-3964
• DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-830493

Abstract The aims of the present study were both to describe anthropometrics and cycling power-velocity characteristics in top-level track sprinters, and to test the hypothesis that these variables would represent interesting predictors of the 200 m track sprint cycling performance. Twelve elite cyclists volunteered to perform a torque-velocity test on a calibrated cycle ergometer, after the measurement of their lean leg volume (LLV) and frontal surface area (A p ), in order to draw torque- and power-velocity relationships, and to evaluate the maximal power (P max ), and both the optimal pedalling rate (ƒ opt ) and torque (T opt ) at which P max is reached. The 200 m performances - i.e. velocity (V 200 ) and pedalling rate (ƒ 200 ) - were measured during international events (REC) and in the 2002 French Track Cycling Championships (NAT). P max , ƒ opt , and T opt were respectively 1600 ± 116 W, 129.8 ± 4.7 rpm and 118.5 ± 9.8 N · m. P max was strongly correlated with T opt (p < 0.001), which was correlated with LLV (p < 0.01). V 200 was related to P max normalized by A p (p ≤ 0.05) and also to ƒ opt (p < 0.01) for REC and NAT. ƒ 200 (155.2 ± 3, REC; 149 ± 4.3, NAT) were significantly higher than ƒ opt (p < 0.001). These findings demonstrated that, in this population of world-class track cyclists, the optimization of the ratio between P max and A p represents a key factor of 200 m performance. Concerning the major role also played by ƒ opt , it is assumed that, considering high values of ƒ 200 , sprinters with a high value of optimal pedalling rate (i.e. lower ƒ 200 - F opt difference) could be theoretically in better conditions to maximize their power output during the race and hence performance.