INFLUENCE OF PEDALING TECHNIQUE ON METABOLIC EFFICIENCY IN ELITE CYCLISTS

Our objective was to investigate the influence of pedaling technique on gross efficiency (GE) at various exercise intensities in twelve elite cyclists ( ·VO2max=75.7 ± 6.2 mL·kg-1·min-1). Each cyclist completed a ·VO2max assessment, skinfold measurements, and an incremental test to determine their lactate threshold (LT) and onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA) values. The GE was determined during a three-phase incremental exercise test (below LT, at LT, and at OBLA). We did not find a significant relationship between pedaling technique and GE just below the LT. However, at the LT, there was a significant correlation between GE and mean torque and evenness of torque distribution (r=0.65 and r=0.66, respectively; p < 0.05). At OBLA, as the cadence frequency increased, the GE declined (r=-0.81, p < 0.05). These results suggest that exercise intensity plays an important role in the relationship between pedaling technique and GE.