An Investigation of efficiency within Cycling

The effect of training on metabolic efficiency in cycling is an under researched area. Previous studies have not found significant differences in cycling efficiency between trained cyclists and untrained participants which has largely limited further research in this area. However upon closer examination of the literature problematic methods are apparent. The main aim of this thesis was to investigate the effects of training upon metabolic efficiency in cycling. Before this could be done, it was necessary to establish a testing protocol capable of producing reliable data for use in the calculation of metabolic efficiency. This enabled the calculation of an appropriate sample size to have a chance of detecting significant differences between groups of trained and recreational cyclists. Statistically significant differences were consequently found between these two populations. Training studies were therefore needed to establish whether cycling efficiency was affected by training and if so what type.

The results of the subsequent training studies showed firstly, that alterations in training volume and intensity did result in changes in the metabolic efficiency of cycling. Secondly, using an intervention study the metabolic efficiency of cycling was specifically increased as a result of the addition of high intensity training. Training volume was shown to have little effect on metabolic efficiency. This thesis is the first to demonstrate that metabolic efficiency is directly influenced by training over a cycling season and is significantly increased as a result of high intensity training.