Abstract
There is little standardization of how to measure cycling gross efficiency (GE). Therefore,
the purposes of these studies were to evaluate the effect of: i) stage duration, ii)
relative exercise intensity, iii) work capacity and iv) a prior maximal incremental
test on GE. Trained subjects (n=28) performed incremental tests with stage durations
of 1-, 3-, and 6-min to establish the effect of stage duration and relative exercise
intensity on GE. The effect of work capacity was evaluated by correlating GE with
peak power output (PPO). In different subjects (n=9), GE was measured at 50% PPO with
and without a prior maximal incremental test. GE was similar in 3- and 6-min stages
(19.7±2.8% and 19.3±2.0%), but significantly higher during 1-min stages (21.1±2.7%),
GE increased with relative exercise intensity, up to 50% PPO or the power output corresponding
to the ventilatory threshold and then remained stable. No relationship between work
capacity and GE was found. Prior maximal exercise had a small effect on GE measures;
GE was lower after maximal exercise. In conclusion, GE can be determined robustly
so long as steady state exercise is performed and RER ≤1.0.
Key words
aerobic capacity - performance - cycling - athlete testing
