No Difference In Sprint Cycling Performance Tests On A Stationary And Mobile Ergometer

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine if there is a difference in sprint cycling performance performed on a stationary ergometer indoors compared to sprint cycling performance a regular road racing bicycle outdoors. METHODS: Eight national level cyclists, (Age 21.3 ± 3.3 years, Weight 74.4 ± 10 kg, Height 178 ± 4.7 cm) volunteered to participate in the study. Subjects performed two different maximal sprint cycling tests in a randomized crossover design on a traditional weight basket ergometer equipped with a SRM Professional powermeter, and on a regular road racing bicycle equipped with the same SRM powermeter. The two tests were a high speed sprint starting a ∼100 RPM and a low speed sprint from a standing start. Each subject performed 3 sprints on each ergometer and condition, and the highest 0.5 s value was reported. All values are reported as mean ± standard deviation. Students T-test was used to test for a difference between ergometers. RESULTS: Maximal power output in the high speed sprint was 1325 ± 317 W for the stationary ergometer and 1300 ± 305 W for the mobile ergometer. Maximal power output in the low speed sprint was 1414 ± 378 W for the stationary ergometer and 1281 ± 170 W, with no significant difference between the two different ergometers. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference between maximal sprint cycling tests performed indoors on a stationary weight basket ergometer and on a regular road racing bicycle performed outdoors.