Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 23, 2026

Standardized Method for Measuring Collection Efficiency from Wipe-sampling of Trace Explosives
Published on: April 10, 2017
A Comparison of Methodological Approaches to Measuring Cycling Mechanical Efficiency
Pekka Matomäki1, Vesa Linnamo1, Heikki Kyröläinen2
1Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.
Background:
Much is known about theoretical bases of different mechanical efficiency indices and effects of physiological and biomechanical factors to them. However, there are only a few studies available about practical bases and interactions between these efficiency indices, which were the aims of the present study.
Methods:
Fourteen physically active men (n = 12) and women (n = 2) participated in this study. From the incremental test, six different mechanical efficiency indices were calculated for cycling work: gross (GE) and net (NE) efficiencies, two work efficiencies (WE), and economy (T) at 150 W, and in addition delta efficiency (DE) using 3-5 observation points.
Results:
It was found that the efficiency indices can be divided into three groups by Spearman's rank correlation: GE, T, and NE in group I; DE and extrapolated WE in group II; and measured WE in group III. Furthermore, group II appeared to have poor reliability due to its dependence on a work-expended energy regression line, which accuracy is poorly measured by confidence interval.
Conclusion:
As efficiency indices fall naturally into three classes that do not interact with each other, it means that they measure fundamentally different aspects of mechanical efficiency. Based on problems and imprecisions with other efficiency indices, GE, or group I, seems to be the best indicator for mechanical efficiency because of its consistency and unambiguity. Based on this methodological analysis, the baseline subtractions in efficiency indices are not encouraged.
More Related Videos
06:57Utilizing Electroencephalography Measurements for Comparison of Task-Specific Neural Efficiencies: Spatial Intelligence Tasks
Published on: August 9, 2016
07:59Author Spotlight: Alignment of Synchronized Time-Series Data Using the Characterizing Loss of Cell Cycle Synchrony Model for Cross-Experiment Comparisons
Published on: June 9, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Efficiency of The Carnot Cycle
Mechanical Efficiency of Real Machines
However, in reality, no machine can be truly ideal, and all of them experience some...
The Water Cycle
The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
What are Biogeochemical Cycles?
The Phosphorus Cycle