Force-velocity test on a stationary cycle ergometer: methodological recommendations.

Area of Science:

• Sports Science and Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Stationary cycle ergometers are standard for assessing lower limb torque and power.
• Current testing and modeling methods may not fully capture individual force-velocity characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how testing and modeling procedures affect the assessment of torque-cadence and power-cadence relationships.
• To identify optimal methods for modeling these relationships for accurate performance evaluation.

Main Methods:

• Seventeen males performed 6-second all-out efforts on a cycle ergometer.
• Analysis focused on selecting pedal cycles representing true maximal power, considering electromyography (EMG) and coactivation.
• Torque-cadence and power-cadence relationships were modeled using linear, second-order polynomial, and third-order polynomial regressions.

Main Results:

• True maximal power was achieved in a subset of pedal cycles; power was reduced in others.
• Higher EMG and coactivation, with lower variability, characterized maximal power pedal cycles.
• Second- and third-order polynomial models provided a better fit than traditional linear models, revealing asymmetric power-cadence relationships in most participants.

Conclusions:

• Accurate assessment of torque- and power-cadence relationships necessitates selecting pedal cycles with true maximal power.
• Second-order polynomial regression for torque-cadence and third-order for power-cadence relationships offer superior modeling.
• Power-cadence relationships are often asymmetric, with rapid declines beyond 180 rpm, particularly in non-cyclists.