Maximal mechanical power output and capacity of cyclists and young adults

Summary

The maximal average power output ($\bar W_{\max }$) has been examined in 10 male students, 22 pursuit and 12 sprint cyclists. In 24 of these subjects (8 students, 10 pursuit and 6 sprint cyclists), estimates of the maximal capacity ($\bar W_{cap}$) of the short-term anaerobic energy yielding processes were made. The results show that the sprinters had a higher absolute$\bar W_{\max }$ (1241±266 W) and$\bar W_{cap}$ (16.7±4.9 kJ) than either the students (1019± 183 W, 14.7±2.8 kJ) or the pursuit cyclists (962±206 W, 14.0±2.9 kJ). However, the differences were removed when the values were standardised for muscle size. In the sprinters theW _max was attained at an optimal pedal frequency$\dot V_{opt}$ of 132±3 min⁻¹ and the estimated maximal velocity of pedalling ($\dot V_O$) was 262±8 min⁻¹. The comparable figures in the students and pursuit cyclists were 118±8 min⁻¹, 235±17 min⁻¹ and 122±6 min⁻¹, 242±12 min⁻¹ respectively. The coefficient of variation of duplicate measurements of$\bar W_{cap}$ was found to be ±9%. Using data of Wilkie (1968) for muscle phosphagen and glycolytic stores (27 mmol · kg⁻¹), it was estimated that the probable efficiency of the anaerobic processes during maximal cycling was 0.22. It was concluded that$\bar W_{\max }$ and$\bar W_{cap}$ are largely determined by body size and muscularity. The efficiency of anaerobiosis appears to be of the same order of magnitude as found for oxidative work.