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Int J Sports Med 2008; 29(3): 244-250
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-965353
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Cadence-Power-Relationship during Decisive Mountain Ascents at the Tour de France

S. Vogt1 , K. Roecker1 , Y. O. Schumacher1 , T. Pottgiesser1 , H.-H. Dickhuth1 , A. Schmid1 , L. Heinrich2
  • 1Department of Preventive and Rehabilitative Sports Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
  • 2Fachbereich Sportmedizin, Institut für Angewandte Trainingswissenschaft, Leipzig, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision February 16, 2007

Publication Date:
13 September 2007 (online)

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to report the relationship between cadence and power developed by professional cyclists during high mountain ascents of the Tour de France. From the 10 cyclists (30 ± 4 years, 178 ± 8 cm, 69 ± 6 kg) involved in the study, 108 ascents were recorded and analyzed using a mobile power measurement device (SRM Training Systems, Jülich, Germany). Based on topographic characteristics, the ascents were categorized into 1st and Hors Category (HC) climbs. During the ascents of the 1st Category climbs, power output averaged 312 ± 43 W (4.5 ± 0.6 W/kg) with a mean cadence of 73 ± 6 rpm and a mean duration of 37 : 41 ± 16 : 16 min. Power output averaged 294 ± 36 W (4.3 ± 0.6 W/kg) at a mean cadence of 70 ± 6 rpm during 57 : 40 ± 10 : 32 min on HC climbs. The maximal mean power for long durations (1800 s) showed a mean power output of 327 W and 346 W for the 1st and HC climbs, respectively. The evaluation of the cadence-power output and the distance per pedaling cycle-power output relationship shows that high power outputs are mainly yielded by higher pedaling cadences and higher gears.

Key words

SRM powermeter - pedaling rate - professional cycling - Grand Tours

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Dr., MD Stefan Vogt

Department of Preventive and Rehabilitative Sports Medicine
University of Freiburg

Hugstetter Strasse 55

79106 Freiburg

Germany

Phone: + 49 76 12 70 74 55

Fax: + 49 76 12 70 74 70

Email: stefan.vogt@uniklinik-freiburg.de