Skip to main content
Kent Academic Repository

Allometric scaling of uphill cycling performance

Jobson, Simon A., Woodside, J., Passfield, Louis, Nevill, Alan M. (2008) Allometric scaling of uphill cycling performance. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 29 (9). pp. 753-757. ISSN 0172-4622. (doi:10.1055/s-2007-989441) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:15726)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-2007-989441

Abstract

Previous laboratory-based investigations have identified optimal body mass scaling exponents in the range 0.79-0.91 for uphill cycling. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate whether or not these exponents are also valid in a field setting. A proportional allometric model was used to predict the optimal power-to-mass ratios associated with road-based uphill time-trial cycling performance. The optimal power function models predicting mean cycle speed during a 5.3 km, 5.4% road hill-climb time-trial were (V)over dotO(2max).m(-1.24))(0.55) and (RMPmax.m(-1.04))(0.54), explained variance being 84.6% and 70.5%, respectively. Slightly higher mass exponents were observed when the mass predictor was replaced with the combined mass of cyclist and equipment (mc). Uphill cycling speed was proportional to (V)over dotO(2max).m(-1.24))(0.55) and (RMPmax.m(c)(-1.10))(0.59). The curvilinear exponents, 0.54-0.59, identified a relatively strong curvilinear relationship between cycling speed and energy cost, suggesting that air resistance remains influential when cycling up a gradient of 5.4%. These results provide some Support for previously reported uphill cycling mass exponents derived in laboratories. However, the exponents reported here were a little higher than those reported previously, a finding possibly explained by a lack of geometric similarity in this sample.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1055/s-2007-989441
Uncontrolled keywords: allometric modelling; body size; road cycling; oxygen uptake; power output
Subjects: H Social Sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Sport and Exercise Sciences
Depositing User: Jane Griffiths
Date Deposited: 22 Apr 2009 08:33 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:53 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/15726 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Jobson, Simon A..

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Passfield, Louis.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6223-162X
CReDIT Contributor Roles:
  • Depositors only (login required):

Total unique views for this document in KAR since July 2020. For more details click on the image.