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Assessment of Neuromuscular Function Using Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
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The Relationship Between Neuromuscular Function and the W' in Elite Cyclists.
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
|April 19, 2021
Summary
Elite cyclists' W' capacity is strongly linked to muscle strength and peak power output, not neural activation. These findings can inform training to boost cycling performance.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Cycling Performance
Background:
- The W' (pronounced W prime) represents a crucial physiological determinant of endurance performance in cycling.
- Understanding the neuromuscular factors influencing W' is essential for optimizing training strategies in elite athletes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the W' and various measures of skeletal muscle neuromuscular function in elite cyclists.
- To identify the key neuromuscular predictors of W' and critical power in a cohort of international cyclists.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-two elite cyclists underwent assessments of maximum voluntary torque (MVT), voluntary activation, and rate of torque development (RTD).
- Peak power output (PPO) and time trial performance were measured to determine critical power.
- Pearson correlation and linear stepwise regression analyses were employed to examine associations between W', critical power, and neuromuscular variables.
Main Results:
- Significant positive correlations were found between W' and MVT (r = .82), PPO (r = .70), and RTD at 200 ms (r = .59).
- Critical power was correlated with RTD at 200 ms (r = .54) and MVT (r = .51).
- Regression analysis revealed that MVT (81%) and PPO (6%) explained 87% of the variability in W'.
Conclusions:
- Muscle size and strength appear to be more significant contributors to W' than neural factors in elite cyclists.
- The findings suggest that training interventions targeting muscle strength and power may effectively enhance W' and improve cycling performance.
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