PDF herunterladen
Int J Sports Med 2004; 25(5): 374-379
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-815848
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

No Differences in Cycling Efficiency Between World-Class and Recreational Cyclists

L. Moseley1 , J. Achten1 , J. C. Martin2 , A. E. Jeukendrup1
  • 1Human Performance Laboratory, School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
  • 2Department of Exercise and Sport Science, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

Accepted after revision: September 25, 2003

Publikationsdatum:
18. Mai 2004 (online)

Auch verfügbar auf
    Lizenzen und Reprints

Abstract

The aim of this experiment was to compare the efficiency of elite cyclists with that of trained and recreational cyclists. Male subjects (N = 69) performed an incremental exercise test to exhaustion on an electrically braked cycle ergometer. Cadence was maintained between 80 - 90 rpm. Energy expenditure was estimated from measures of oxygen uptake (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) using stoichiometric equations. Subjects (age 26 ± 7 yr, body mass 74.0 ± 6.3 kg, Wpeak 359 ± 40 W and VO2peak 62.3 ± 7.0 mL/kg/min) were divided into 3 groups on the basis of their VO2peak (< 60.0 (Low, N = 26), 60 - 70 (Med, N = 27) and > 70 (High, N = 16) mL/kg/min). All data are mean ± SE. Despite the wide range in aerobic capacities gross efficiency (GE) at 165 W (GE165), GE at the same relative intensity (GEfinal), delta efficiency (DE) and economy (EC) were similar between all groups. Mean GE165 was 18.6 ± 0.3 %, 18.8 ± 0.4 % and 17.9 ± 0.3 % while mean DE was 22.4 ± 0.4 %, 21.6 ± 0.4 % and 21.2 ± 0.5 % (for Low, Medium and High, respectively). There was no correlation between GE165, GEfinal, DE or EC and VO2peak. Based on these data, we conclude that there are no differences in efficiency and economy between elite cyclists and recreational level cyclists.

Key words

Gross efficiency - delta efficiency - economy - VO2peak

References

  • 1 Achten J, Gleeson M, Jeukendrup A E. Determination of the exercise intensity that elicits maximal fat oxidation.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2002;  34 92-97
    CrossrefPubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 2 Boning D, Gonen Y, Maassen N. Relationship between work load, pedal frequency, and physical fitness.  Int J Sports Med. 1984;  5 92-97
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 3 Brouwer E. On simple formulae for calculating the heat expenditure and the quantities of carbohydrate and fat oxidized in metabolism of men and animals, from gaseous exchange (oxygen and carbonic acid output) and urine-N.  Acta Physiol Pharmacol Neerl. 1957;  6 795-802
    PubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 4 Chavarren J, Calbet J A. Cycling efficiency and pedalling frequency in road cyclists.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1999;  80 555-563
    CrossrefPubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 5 Coast J R, Cox R H, Welch H G. Optimal pedalling rate in prolonged bouts of cycle ergometry.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1986;  18 225-230
    PubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 6 Coyle E F. Physiological determinants of endurance exercise performance.  J Sci Med Sport. 1999;  2 181-189
    CrossrefPubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 7 Coyle E F, Feltner M E, Kautz S A, Hamilton M T, Montain S J, Baylor A M, Abraham L D, Petrek G W. Physiological and biomechanical factors associated with elite endurance cycling performance.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1991;  23 93-107
    PubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 8 Coyle E F, Sidossis L S, Horowitz J F, Beltz J D. Cycling efficiency is related to the percentage of type I muscle fibres.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1992;  24 782-788
    PubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 9 Ferguson R A, Ball D, Sargeant A J. Effect of muscle temperature on rate of oxygen uptake during exercise in humans at different contraction frequencies.  J Exp Biol. 2002;  205 981-987
    PubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 10 Gaesser G A, Brooks G A. Muscular efficiency during steady-rate exercise: effects of speed and work rate.  J Appl Physiol. 1975;  38 1132-1138
    CrossrefPubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 11 Green H J, Roy B, Grant S, Hughson R, Burnett M, Otto C, Pipe A, McKenzie D, Johnson M. Increases in submaximal cycling efficiency mediated by altitude acclimatization.  J Appl Physiol. 2000;  89 1189-1197
    PubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 12 Hochachka P W, Stanley C, Matheson G O, McKenzie D C, Allen P S, Parkhouse W S. Metabolic and work efficiencies during exercise in Andean natives.  J Appl Physiol. 1991;  70 1720-1730
    PubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 13 Horowitz J F, Sidossis L S, Coyle E F. High efficiency of type I fibres improves performance.  Int J Sports Med. 1994;  15 152-157
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 14 Jeukendrup A E, Craig N P, Hawley J A. The bioenergetics of world class cycling.  J Sci Med Sport. 2000;  3 414-433
    CrossrefPubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 15 Jeukendrup A E, Martin D T, Gore C J. Are world-class cyclists really more efficient?.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003;  35 1238-1239
    PubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 16 Jeukendrup A E, Martin J. Improving cycling performance how should we spend our time and money.  Sports Med. 2001;  31 559-569
    CrossrefPubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 17 Jones N L. Clinical Exercise Testing. London; Saunders 1982
    Suche in Google Scholar
  • 18 Lucia A, Hoyos J, Perez M, Santalla A, Chicharro J L. Inverse relationship between VO2max and economy/efficiency in world-class cyclists.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2002;  34 2079-2084
    CrossrefPubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 19 Lucia A, Pardo J, Durantez A, Hoyos J, Chicharro J L. Physiological differences between professional and elite road cyclists.  Int J Sports Med. 1998;  19 342-348
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 20 Mallory L A, Scheuermann B W, Hoelting B D, Weiss M L, McAllister R M, Barstow T J. Influence of peak VO2 and muscle fibre type on the efficiency of moderate exercise.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2002;  34 1279-1287
    CrossrefPubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 21 Marsh A P, Martin P E, Foley K O. Effect of cadence, cycling experience, and aerobic power on delta efficiency during cycling.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;  32 1630-1634
    PubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 22 McDaniel J, Durstine J L, Hand G A, Martin J C. Determinants of metabolic cost during submaximal cycling.  J Appl Physiol. 2002;  93 823-828
    PubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 23 Moseley L, Jeukendrup A E. The reliability of cycling efficiency.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001;  33 621-627
    PubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 24 Nickleberry B L, Brooks G A. No effect of cycling experience on leg cycle ergometer efficiency.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1996;  28 1396-1401
    CrossrefPubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 25 Olds T, Norton K, Craig N, Olive S, Lowe E. The limits of the possible: Models of power supply and demand in cycling.  Aus J Sci Med Sports. 1995;  27 29-33
    PubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 26 Passfield L, Doust J H. Changes in cycling efficiency and performance after endurance exercise.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;  32 1935-1941
    CrossrefPubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 27 Saltin B, Henriksson J, Nygaard E, Andersen P, Jansson E. Fibre types and metabolic potentials of skeletal muscles in sedentary man and endurance runners.  Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1977;  301 3-29
    CrossrefPubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 28 Sidossis L S, Horowitz J F, Coyle E F. Load and velocity of contraction influence gross and delta mechanical efficiency.  Int J Sports Med. 1992;  13 407-411
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSuche in Google Scholar
  • 29 Stuart M, Howley E, Brude Gladden L, Cox R. Efficiency of trained subjects differing in maximal oxygen uptake and type of training.  J Appl Physiol. 1981;  50 444-449
    CrossrefPubMedSuche in Google Scholar

Dr A. E. Jeukendrup

School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Birmingham

Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT

United Kingdom

Telefon: + 44(0)1214144124

Fax: + 44 (0) 12 14 14 41 21

eMail: A.E.Jeukendrup@bham.ac.uk