Int J Sports Med 2008; 29(10): 817-822
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1038374
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effects of Pedal Type and Pull-Up Action during Cycling

G. Mornieux1 , B. Stapelfeldt1 , A. Gollhofer1 , A. Belli2
  • 1Institut für Sport und Sportwissenschaft, Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
  • 2Equipe PPEH, Département STAPS, Université de Saint Etienne, Saint Etienne, France
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision December 19, 2007

Publication Date:
17 April 2008 (online)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of different shoe-pedal interfaces and of an active pulling-up action during the upstroke phase on the pedalling technique. Eight elite cyclists (C) and seven non-cyclists (NC) performed three different bouts at 90 rev · min−1 and 60 % of their maximal aerobic power. They pedalled with single pedals (PED), with clipless pedals (CLIP) and with a pedal force feedback (CLIPFBACK) where subjects were asked to pull up on the pedal during the upstroke. There was no significant difference for pedalling effectiveness, net mechanical efficiency (NE) and muscular activity between PED and CLIP. When compared to CLIP, CLIPFBACK resulted in a significant increase in pedalling effectiveness during upstroke (86 % for C and 57 % NC, respectively), as well as higher biceps femoris and tibialis anterior muscle activity (p < 0.001). However, NE was significantly reduced (p < 0.008) with 9 % and 3.3 % reduction for C and NC, respectively. Consequently, shoe-pedal interface (PED vs. CLIP) did not significantly influence cycling technique during submaximal exercise. However, an active pulling-up action on the pedal during upstroke increased the pedalling effectiveness, while reducing net mechanical efficiency.

References

  • 1 Böning D, Gönen Y, Maassen N. Relationship between workload, pedal frequency, and physical fitness.  Int J Sports Med. 1984;  5 92-97
  • 2 Capmal S, Vandewalle H. Torque-velocity relationship during cycle ergometer sprints with and without toe clips.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1997;  76 375-379
  • 3 Coyle E F, Feltner M E, Kautz S A, Hamilton M T, Montain S J, Baylor A M, Abraham L D, Petrek G W. Physiological and biomechanical factors associated with elite endurance cycling performance.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1991;  23 93-107
  • 4 Cruz C F, Bankoff A D. Electromyography in cycling: difference between clipless pedal and toe clip pedal.  Electromyogr Clin Neurophysiol. 2001;  41 247-252
  • 5 Daly D J, Cavanagh P R. Asymmetry in bicycle ergometer pedalling.  Med Sci Sports. 1976;  8 204-208
  • 6 Ericson M O, Nisell R, Arborelius U P, Ekholm J. Muscular activity during ergometer cycling.  Scand J Rehab Med. 1985;  17 53-61
  • 7 Gaesser G A, Brooks G A. Muscular efficiency during steady-rate exercise: effects of speed and work rate.  J Appl Physiol. 1975;  38 1132-1139
  • 8 Hintzy F, Belli A, Rouillon J D. Effet de l'utilisation de pédales automatiques sur les caractéristiques mécaniques mesurées lors de sprints sur cycloergomètre non isocinétique.  Science et Sports. 1999;  14 137-144
  • 9 Jorge M, Hull M L. Analysis of EMG measurements during bicycle pedalling.  J Biomech. 1986;  18 683-694
  • 10 Lafortune M A, Cavanagh P R. Effectiveness and efficiency during bicycle riding. Matsui H, Kobayashi K Biomechanics VIIB; International Series on Sports Science 4B. Champaign, IL; Human Kinetics 1983: 928-936
  • 11 Lavoie N F, Mahony M D, Marmelic L S. Maximal oxygen uptake on a bicycle ergometer without toe stirrups and with toe stirrups versus a treadmill.  Can J Appl Sport Sci. 1978;  3 99-102
  • 12 Lucia A, Hoyos J, Chicharro J L. Preferred pedalling cadence in professional cycling.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001;  33 1361-1366
  • 13 Marsh A P, Martin P E, Foley K O. Effect of cadence, cycling experience, and aerobic power on delta efficiency during cycling.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;  32 1630-1634
  • 14 McArdle W D, Katch F I, Katch V L. Exercise Physiology. Energy, Nutrition and Performance. 5th edition. Philadelphia; Williams & Wilkins 2001: 174-186
  • 15 Mornieux G, Zameziati K, Rouffet D, Stapelfeldt B, Gollhofer A, Belli A. Influence of pedalling effectiveness on the inter-individual variations of muscular efficiency in cycling.  Isokinet Exerc Sci. 2006;  14 63-70
  • 16 Moseley L, Achten J, Martin J C, Jeukendrup A E. No differences in cycling efficiency between world-class and recreational cyclists.  Int J Sports Med. 2004;  25 374-379
  • 17 Nickleberry B L, Brooks G A. No effect of cycling experience on leg cycle ergometer efficiency.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1996;  28 1396-1401
  • 18 Patterson R P, Moreno M. Bicycle pedalling forces as a function of pedalling rate and power output.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1990;  22 512-516
  • 19 Rietjens G J, Kuipers H, Kester A D, Keizer H A. Validation of a computerized metabolic measurement system (Oxycon-Pro) during low and high intensity exercise.  Int J Sports Med. 2001;  22 291-294
  • 20 Sanderson D J. The influence of cadence and power output on the biomechanics of force application during steady-state cycling in competitive and recreational cyclists.  J Sports Sci. 1991;  9 191-203
  • 21 Sanderson D J, Black A. The effect of prolonged cycling on pedal forces.  J Sports Sci. 2003;  21 191-199
  • 22 Sanderson D J, Cavanagh P R. Use of augmented feedback for the modification of the pedaling mechanics of cyclists.  Can J Sport Sci. 1990;  15 38-42
  • 23 Stapelfeldt B, Mornieux G, Oberheim R, Belli A, Gollhofer A. A new bicycle instrument for laboratory and field measurements of pedal forces and power output in cycling.  Int J Sports Med. 2007;  28 326-332
  • 24 Stuart M K, Howley E T, Gladden L B, Cox R H. Efficiency of trained subjects differing in maximal oxygen uptake and type of training.  J Appl Physiol. 1981;  50 444-449
  • 25 Takaishi T, Yamamoto T, Ono T, Ito T, Moritani T. Neuromuscular, metabolic, and kinetic adaptations for skilled pedalling performance in cyclists.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1998;  30 442-449
  • 26 Tate J, Shierman G. Toe clips: how they increase pedalling efficiency.  Bicycling. 1977;  18 57
  • 27 Zameziati K, Mornieux G, Rouffet D, Belli A. Relationship between the increase of effectiveness indexes and the increase of muscular efficiency with cycling power.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2006;  96 274-281

Dr. Guillaume Mornieux

Institut für Sport und Sportwissenschaft
Universität Freiburg

Schwarzwaldstraße 175

79117 Freiburg

Germany

Phone: + 49 76 12 03 45 21

Fax: + 49 76 12 03 45 34

Email: guillaume.mornieux@sport.uni-freiburg.de

    >