Inertial-load method determines maximal cycling power in a single exercise bout

A cycle ergometer was modified to measure power (P) with resistance provided solely by the moment of inertia (I) of the flywheel. P was calculated as the product of I, angular velocity (omega), and angular acceleration (alpha). Flywheel omega and alpha were determined by means of an optical sensor a...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Medicine and science in sports and exercise 1997-11, Vol.29 (11), p.1505-1512
Main Authors: MARTIN, J. C, WAGNER, B. M, COYLE, E. F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Biomechanical Phenomena
Ergonomics
Exercise - physiology
Exercise Test - instrumentation
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Male
Physical Endurance
Physical Phenomena
Physics
Reproducibility of Results
Space life sciences
Vertebrates: body movement. Posture. Locomotion. Flight. Swimming. Physical exercise. Rest. Sports
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:A cycle ergometer was modified to measure power (P) with resistance provided solely by the moment of inertia (I) of the flywheel. P was calculated as the product of I, angular velocity (omega), and angular acceleration (alpha). Flywheel omega and alpha were determined by means of an optical sensor and a micro-controller based computer interface which measured time (+/- 1 microsecond) and allowed P to be calculated instantaneously (PI) every 3 degrees of pedal crank rotation or averaged over one complete revolution of the pedal cranks (PREV). Values for maximum P were identified from each bout (PI max and PREV max). Mechanical calibration of torque via a resistive strap proved this method to be both valid and accurate. Thirteen active male subjects performed four bouts of maximal acceleration lasting approximately 3-4 s with 2 min resting recovery. The mean coefficient of variation for PREV max was 3.3 +/- 0.6% and the intraclass correlation was 0.99. PREV max averaged 1317 +/- 66 W at 122 +/- 2 rpm, and PI max averaged 2137 +/- 101 W at 131 +/- 2 rpm. PREV max and PI max were highly correlated (r = 0.86 and r = 0.80 respectively, P < 0.002) with estimated lean thigh volume. Therefore, the inertial-load method provides a valid and reliable determination of cycling power in one short exercise bout.
ISSN:0195-9131
1530-0315
DOI:10.1097/00005768-199711000-00018