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Differences in efficiency between trained and recreational cyclists

Hopker, James G., Coleman, Damian A, Wiles, Jonathan (2007) Differences in efficiency between trained and recreational cyclists. Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism, 32 (6). pp. 1036-1042. ISSN 1715-5312. (doi:10.1139/H07-070) (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:23817)

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/10.1139/H07-070

Abstract

Controversy still exists in the literature as to whether cycling experience affects gross mechanical efficiency

(GME). The aim of this study was to identify differences in efficiency between trained and untrained cyclists. Thirty-two participants, 16 trained (mean ± SD: age, 33 ± 4 y; height, 1.76 ± 0.05 m; mass 75 ± 10 kg; Wmax, 421 ± 38 W; maximal oxygen uptake, 62.6 ± 7.30 mLkg–1min–1) and 16 untrained (22 ± 3 y, 175 ± 0.06 m, 76 ± 10 kg, 292 ± 34 W, 42.6 ± 7.80 mLkg–1min–1), performed two tests of cycling efficiency. One was at the relative workloads of 50% and 60% Wmax and the other was at a fixed workload of 150 W using an electrically braked cycle ergometer. Cadence was maintained at the cyclist’s preferred rate throughout. All workloads lasted 10 min with data sampling in the final 3 min. GME was calculated from the gas data. GME was found to be significantly higher in the trained cyclists across all workloads (+1.4%; p = 0.03). At workloads of 60% Wmax GME was significantly lower than work at 150 W (–0.8%; p = 0.04), but not significantly different from 50%Wmax. These results show that differences do exist between trained and untrained cyclists, illustrating that training experience is a factor that warrants further investigation.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1139/H07-070
Subjects: R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC1200 Sports medicine
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Sport and Exercise Sciences
Depositing User: James Hopker
Date Deposited: 21 Jan 2011 16:54 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:02 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/23817 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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