Don’t know if you’ve seen this, but as it is a frequent topic for discussion, it might interest some if it hasn’t been posted yet:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22174189?dopt=Abstract
Nuno
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Cool. Not sure exactly what they mean by the term "Negative torque ". Seems like they are talking about the force applied upward on the upstroke…but the term has conotations of pushing downward on the upstroke to me.
Then in the results, they say that the more efficient cycling achieved SHORTENED the negative torque range, so the abstract seems inconsistent.
It’s also not intuitive that strength training would make a cyclist faster via improved technique. How do the 2 relate?
Interesting that the emphasis wasn’t on a stronger downward push, but on hip flexion exercises to help get the foot out of the way on the up stroke.
Although they mention they did 4 exercises but don’t say what the others were.
Great, this subject is now going to send the ST experts into a tailspin, just what we need on a Friday ;o)
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That’s a good thing, the back and forth part, right?
As long as we don’t get too disturbed by people having views different from our own.
I predict a PowerCranks post in 3…2…1…
Odd choice of a test interval, though I suppose it may bear some relation to road racing. Sit in the pack submaximal for 3 hours and then charge to the line at peak power for the last 5 minutes. A 5 min interval is generally considered to be closer to a strength-related interval or VO2Max-type interval than an FTP-type interval of 10-20 minutes. So I guess strength training would probably contribute more to a shorter interval like this than would relate to a triathlon. I’d be more interested if they did the same test but ran 2 different tests…5 min interval and something like a 20 min interval. Oh well…
why would they be doing heavy strength training in the first place?
conclusion:
“adding heavy strength training to usual endurance training in well-trained cyclists improves pedalling efficacy”
no shit. Was there a theory out there that strength training wasn’t going to improve performance?
Someone here, either Andy Coggan or Tom A did an N=1 study on themselves where they did weight training, and while their lift numbers improved steadily it did not affect their FTP
no shit. Was there a theory out there that strength training wasn’t going to improve performance?
In other news, beetroot juice keeps you regular and improves TT performance.
to me this seems like a no brainer, as you build muscle you’re going to pedal more efficiently. The same has been mentioned about swim fitness and run fitness on this board before. It’s just that strength training might not be as effective a use of your time as training is, hence why it’s not recommended many age groupers strength train.
to me this seems like a no brainer, as you build muscle you’re going to pedal more efficiently. The same has been mentioned about swim fitness and run fitness on this board before. It’s just that strength training might not be as effective a use of your time as training is, hence why it’s not recommended many age groupers strength train.
Why don’t TTers and pursuiters look like track sprinters?
Efficiency. There are really two different methods in my mind for strength training. One, bulk up, which most 200, 100 sprinters prefer. Then there is lean muscle building, which is what ideally TT and pursuit riders should shoot for. In track sprinting often times the most explosive start is the winner. In TT or pursuit it’s not just explosion but being able to hold that for longer periods which determines the winner. Most TT riders are bigger(taller) guys simply because they are the mix of the right mix of explosiveness and efficient enough to withstand a longer workload.
Pedaling efficiency + weight training in the same thread.
Why has this thread not exploded to 30,000 views and 800 posts yet?
to me this seems like a no brainer, as you build muscle you’re going to pedal more efficiently. The same has been mentioned about swim fitness and run fitness on this board before. It’s just that strength training might not be as effective a use of your time as training is, hence why it’s not recommended many age groupers strength train.
Why don’t TTers and pursuiters look like track sprinters?
Last I checked there is a big difference between 10-60 seconds of effort and (even for a short TT) up to 10 minutes of effort (at least in terms of physiology). Those things don’t even come close to matching up. Plus, have you ever seen the quads on some track cyclists? Or even speed skaters for that matter? They are huge.
why would muscle mass make you more efficient?
Its possible that resistance training might make you more efficient for any number of reasons but muscle mass, lean or otherwise, would make you LESS efficient (more weight, more size) in and of itself.
Having more muscle also would not, in and of itself, reduce the oxygen you need to process to put out a given power.
Its very often demonstrated that many cyclists can LOSE mass, and keep the same power. Muscle isn’t often the limiter, your oxygen is the limiter. Aerobic sport!
=)
Efficiency. There are really two different methods in my mind for strength training. One, bulk up, which most 200, 100 sprinters prefer. Then there is lean muscle building, which is what ideally TT and pursuit riders should shoot for. In track sprinting often times the most explosive start is the winner. In TT or pursuit it’s not just explosion but being able to hold that for longer periods which determines the winner. Most TT riders are bigger(taller) guys simply because they are the mix of the right mix of explosiveness and efficient enough to withstand a longer workload.
If you can’t hold proper form that is also wasted energy right? Think of how much wattage is lost by an inefficient pedal stroke. By having the muscle support to back up a proper technique you will be more efficient. Also gym work doesn’t always mean getting heavier. Lots can be said for correcting in-balances.
to me this seems like a no brainer, as you build muscle you’re going to pedal more efficiently. The same has been mentioned about swim fitness and run fitness on this board before. It’s just that strength training might not be as effective a use of your time as training is, hence why it’s not recommended many age groupers strength train.
Why don’t TTers and pursuiters look like track sprinters?
If you had a 50 mile or longer track sprint they would Ken .
If you can’t hold proper form that is also wasted energy right?
Even Rasmussen held proper form, and he was a concentration camp victim.
Think of how much wattage is lost by an inefficient pedal stroke.
at the biochemical level? tons. at the mechanical moving your feet around properly level? not much, and don’t see why more muscle mass. or more one-rep maximal power would fix it.
Stability muscles? That’s about all I can think would be improved with that.