Research article summary (published 23 Nov 2003):

A physiological counterpoint to mechanistic estimates of "internal power" during cycling at different pedal rates.

Full Abstract

Reported values of "internal power" (IP) during cycling, generated by the muscles to overcome energy changes of moving body segments, are considerably different for various biomechanical models, reflecting the different criteria for estimation of IP. The present aim was to calculate IP from metabolic variables and to perform a physiological evaluation of five different kinematic models for calculating IP in cycling. Results showed that IP was statistically different between the kinematic models applied. IP based on metabolic variables (IP(met)) was 15, 41, and 91 W at 61, 88, and 115 rpm, respectively, being remarkably close to the kinematic estimate of one model (IP(Willems-COM): 14, 43, and 95 W) and reasonably close to another kinematic estimate (IP(Winter): 8, 29, and 81 W). For all kinematic models there was no significant effect of performing 3-D versus 2-D analyses. IP increased significantly with pedal rate - leg movements accounting for the largest fraction. Further, external power (EP) affected IP significantly such that IP was larger at moderate than at low EP at the majority of the pedal rates applied but on average this difference was only 8%.

Author information

Author/s: Hansen, Ernst Albin (EA); Jørgensen, Lars Vincents (LV); Sjøgaard, Gisela (G);

Affiliation: Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense, Denmark. eah(-atsign-)ami.dk

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Validation Studies

Journal: European journal of applied physiology (Eur J Appl Physiol), published in Germany. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2004-Apr; vol 91 (issue 4) : pp 435-42

Dates: Created 2004/03/16; Completed 2004/11/04; Revised 2008/11/21;

PMID: 14639482, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Adult Bicycling - physiology Biomechanics - methods Computer Simulation Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted - methods Energy Transfer - physiology Exercise Test - methods Humans

Male Models, Biological Muscle Contraction - physiology Muscle, Skeletal - physiology Oxygen Consumption - physiology Physical Exertion - physiology Reproducibility of Results Sensitivity and Specificity

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

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