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01-05-2009 | Original Article

The rotor pedaling system improves anaerobic but not aerobic cycling performance in professional cyclists

Authors: Jose A. Rodríguez-Marroyo, Juan García-López, Karim Chamari, Alfredo Córdova, Olivier Hue, Jose G. Villa

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 1/2009

Abstract

The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of both noncircular (ROT) and conventional (CON) chainring systems on aerobic and anaerobic cycling performances of professional cyclists, while analyzing the influence of varying the crank angle of maximum crank arm length of ROT. Fifteen professional road cyclists performed both incremental and sub-maximal aerobic tests and the Wingate anaerobic test in the laboratory. There were no statistical differences between CON and ROT in the aerobic tests, even when the best ROT position (ROT+) was selected. However, in the anaerobic test, maximal (4.2–9.1%) and mean (0.7–4.7%) power outputs were higher in ROT (P < 0.05). These differences were greater when the ROT+ was selected (11.2 and 7.0%, respectively). Our findings suggest that ROT is able to improve anaerobic but not aerobic cycling performance in professional cyclists. Nevertheless, it must be adapted to each cyclist to ensure these improvements.

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Title: The rotor pedaling system improves anaerobic but not aerobic cycling performance in professional cyclists
Authors: Jose A. Rodríguez-Marroyo
Juan García-López
Karim Chamari
Alfredo Córdova
Olivier Hue
Jose G. Villa
Publication date: 01-05-2009
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 1/2009
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-009-0993-x

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The rotor pedaling system improves anaerobic but not aerobic cycling performance in professional cyclists

Abstract

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