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Int J Sports Med 2005; 26(9): 739-746
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-830493
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

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

S. Dorel1 , 2 , C. A. Hautier4 , O. Rambaud1 , D. Rouffet4 , E. Van Praagh3 , J.-R. Lacour1 , M. Bourdin1
  • 1Laboratoire de Biomécanique et de Modélisation Humaine (Equipe Physiologie de l'Exercice) - Faculté de Médecine Lyon-Sud, Oullins cedex, France
  • 2Laboratoire de Physiologie - Unité PPEH, CHU St-Jean-Bonnefonds, Saint-Etienne cedex 2, France
  • 3Laboratoire de Physiologie de l'Exercice (BAPS), Gabriel Montpied Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand cedex 1, France
  • 4Centre de Recherche et d'Innovation sur le Sport (CRIS), Université Claude Bernard - Lyon I, Villeurbanne cedex, France
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: September 30, 2004

Publication Date:
24 January 2005 (online)

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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 (Ap), in order to draw torque- and power-velocity relationships, and to evaluate the maximal power (Pmax), and both the optimal pedalling rate (ƒopt) and torque (Topt) at which Pmax is reached. The 200 m performances - i.e. velocity (V200) and pedalling rate (ƒ200) - were measured during international events (REC) and in the 2002 French Track Cycling Championships (NAT). Pmax, ƒopt, and Topt were respectively 1600 ± 116 W, 129.8 ± 4.7 rpm and 118.5 ± 9.8 N · m. Pmax was strongly correlated with Topt (p < 0.001), which was correlated with LLV (p < 0.01). V200 was related to Pmax normalized by Ap (p ≤ 0.05) and also to ƒopt (p < 0.01) for REC and NAT. ƒ200 (155.2 ± 3, REC; 149 ± 4.3, NAT) were significantly higher than ƒopt (p < 0.001). These findings demonstrated that, in this population of world-class track cyclists, the optimization of the ratio between Pmax and Ap represents a key factor of 200 m performance. Concerning the major role also played by ƒopt, it is assumed that, considering high values of ƒ200, sprinters with a high value of optimal pedalling rate (i.e. lower ƒ200 - f opt difference) could be theoretically in better conditions to maximize their power output during the race and hence performance.

Key words

Elite sprint cycling - 200 m flying start - maximal power (Pmax) - optimal pedalling rate (ƒopt) - projected frontal area (Ap)

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S. Dorel

Laboratoire de Biomécanique et de Modélisation Humaine (Equipe Physiologie de l'Exercise) - Faculté de Médecine Lyon-Sud

BP 12

69921 Oullins cedex

France

Phone: + 33478863135

Fax: + 33 4 78 86 31 35

Email: Dorel77@wanadoo.fr

Email: Sylvain.Dorel@univ-lyon1.fr