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Sport Sciences for Health
Published in: Sport Sciences for Health 3/2014

01-12-2014 | Original Article

Optimisation of starting conditions in track cycling

Authors: Johnny Padulo, Guillaume Laffaye, William Bertucci, Anis Chaouachi, Davide Viggiano

Published in: Sport Sciences for Health | Issue 3/2014

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Abstract

Purpose

Several factors may influence cycling performance and effort intensity during cycling competitions. The present study aimed to investigate the conditions that may influence the initial acceleration during the first 5 m of a cycling competition, particularly riding position, starting angle of the crank and hand position on handlebars. To this aim, eight male cyclists amateur were tested in laboratory and on track.

Methods

Surface electromyography was also used to verify the influence of upper body on muscle activity. Moreover, to verify the results, 59 professional cyclists were observed on the track using the same set-up.

Results

Standing position increased by 10 % the initial speed and acceleration compared to seated position. A starting crank angle of 71° and the position of the hands on the upper bar of the handlebar also improved the acceleration. The effects of these parameters were additive and, therefore, the acceleration with standing position and initial crank angle of 71° was about 35 % greater than that with seated position with an initial crank angle of 47°.

Conclusions

These effects were especially important when analysing the results of competitive athletes, which also showed better initial acceleration under spontaneously adopted optimal initial conditions.
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Metadata
Title
Optimisation of starting conditions in track cycling
Authors
Johnny Padulo
Guillaume Laffaye
William Bertucci
Anis Chaouachi
Davide Viggiano
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
Springer Milan
Published in
Sport Sciences for Health / Issue 3/2014
Print ISSN: 1824-7490
Electronic ISSN: 1825-1234
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-014-0192-y

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