The Effect of Pedal Cadence on Cycling Economy and Perceived Exertion in Female Cyclists

Abstract

Previous studies have reported mixed results regarding the effect of cycling pedal cadence on work economy in various subject groups. However, few studies have examined the influence of cycling cadence on work economy in female cyclists. PURPOSE: The main purpose of this study was to investigate whether pedal cadence during cycling significantly affected work economy in a group of highly-competitive female cyclists. METHODS: Five female cyclists (age = 31.4 ± 3.9 yrs, VO2max = 52.0 ± 4.0 mL·kg-1·min-1, 3.8 yrs competitive cycling, peak "aerobic" workload = 278 Watts) performed three trials (≥ 48 hrs apart) on a stationary bike at 0%, 25%, 50%, & 75% of their peak workload. Each workload was 5 minutes in duration. The workloads were held constant while pedal cadence (60, 80, 100 rev·min-1) was randomized over the three trials. Oxygen consumption (VO2, L·min-1), heart rate (HR, bpm) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE, borg scale) were recorded during each workload. Work economy (E) was simply determined as the oxygen cost of each workload. RESULTS: Overall, there were no statistically significant pedal cadence x workload effects (p=.36) on VO2, HR, and RPE but there were significant effects for pedal cadence on VO2 (p< 0.001) and HR (p<0.001), but not on RPE (p=0.07). Specifically, VO2 (1.51, 1.64, 1.81 L·min-1), HR (112, 117, 128 bpm), and RPE (10.2, 10.7, 10.9) were directly related to pedal cadence (60<80<100 rev·min-1) at each workload. Therefore, E was inversely related to pedal cadence (60>80>100 rev·min-1). CONCLUSIONS: Female cyclists experienced greater work economy (lower VO2), lower HR, and lower RPE at workloads up to 75% of peak workload when pedaling at slower cadences (60 vs. 80 vs. 100 rev·min-1).