Freely Chosen Cadence is Increased during Repeated Bouts of Submaximal Ergometer Pedalling.

It was investigated whether the phenomenon of repeated bout rate enhancement occurs during submaximal ergometer cycling. Repeated bout rate enhancement is defined as an increase of the freely, or spontaneously, chosen cadence during repeated bouts of pedalling and has previously been reported for finger tapping. This is relevant to study since cadence can affect biomechanical and physiological responses. Recreationally active individuals (n=27) performed five consecutive 5-min bouts of cycling at 100 W using freely chosen cadence. All bouts were separated by 10-min rest. Cadence, pedal force profile characteristics, heart rate, tympanic temperature, and rate of perceived exertion were determined during cycling. The primary result was that cadence at the end of 5. bout was statistically significantly higher than at the end of all other bouts. Overall, the cadence at the end of 5. bout was 15.6%±20.4% higher than at the end of 1. bout. The altered rhythmic motor behaviour was accompanied by a statistically significant effect of bout on the pedal force profile. Also, there was a statistically significant effect of bout on heart rate, which amounted to 125±17 and 131±26 beats/min at the end of 1. and 5. bout, respectively. Perhaps the observed increase of cadence occurred as a nonconscious rhythmogenesis process in form of a net excitation of relevant parts of the nervous system. In conclusion, repeated bout rate enhancement during submaximal ergometer cycling occurred. The freely chosen cadence showed an increase of on average about 15%, or 10 rpm, as accumulated values across five bouts of cycling.

Maximal accelerations for twelve weeks elicit improvement in a single out of a collection of cycling performance indicators in trained cyclists.

Introduction: Cycling is a time-consuming sport. Cyclists, as many other athletes, therefore, focus on training effectively. The hypothesis was tested that twelve weeks of supplementary maximal acceleration training caused more favourable changes in cycling performance indicators as compared to changes measured in comparable control cyclists. Methods: Trained cyclists (n = 24) participated. A control group and a group performing maximal acceleration training, as a supplement to their usual training, were formed. The maximal acceleration training consisted of series of ten repetitions of outdoor brief maximal accelerations, which were initiated from low speed and performed in a large gear ratio. The cyclists in the control group performed their usual training. Performance indicators, in form of peak power output in a 7-s maximal isokinetic sprint test, maximal aerobic power output in a graded test, and submaximal power output at a predetermined blood lactate concentration of 2.5 mmol L-1 in a graded test were measured before and after the intervention. Results: Peak power output in the sprint test was increased (4.1% from before to after the intervention) to a larger extent (p = 0.045) in the cyclists who had performed the maximal acceleration training than in the control cyclists (-2.8%). Changes in maximal aerobic power output and in submaximal power output at a blood lactate concentration of 2.5 mmol L-1 were not significantly different between the groups (p > 0.351). Discussion: The results indicated that the applied supplementary maximal acceleration training caused modest favourable changes of performance indicators, as compared to the changes measured in a group of comparable control cyclists.