The relation between sprint power and road time trial performance in elite para-cyclists

Carla F.J Nooijen,Rafael Muchaxo,Johanna Liljedahl,Anna Bjerkefors,Thomas Janssen,Luc Van Der Woude,Anton Arndt,Sonja De Groot

doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2021.04.014

Carla F.J Nooijen, Rafael Muchaxo + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2021.04.014

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Abstract

ObjectivesWhilst cycling performance has been studied extensively, very little is known about the performance of para-cyclists. This study assessed the relation between sprint power and road time trial performance in elite para-cyclists, and whether this relation differed based on impairment type and type of bike used. DesignCross-sectional. MethodsDuring international para-cycling events, 168 athletes (88 bicycles, 17 tricycles, 56 recumbent handbikes and 7 kneeling handbikes) performed 20-s sport-specific sprint tests (mean power output (POmean) W), and their road time trial performance (average speed (km/h)) was taken from the official results. Multilevel regression models to assess the relation of sprint with time trial performance were composed for i. leg-cyclists: bicycle and tricycle and ii. arm-cyclists: recumbent- and kneeling handbike, adjusted for identified confounders. Furthermore, impairment type (categorized as i) muscle power/range of motion, ii) limb deficiency/leg length difference, and iii) coordination) and bike type were tested as effect modifiers. ResultsPOmean ranged from 303 ± 12 W for recumbent handcyclists to 482 ± 156 W for bicyclists. POmean was significantly related to time trial performance, for both leg-cyclists (β = 0.010, SE = 0.003, p < 0.01) and arm-cyclists (β = 0.029; SE = 0.005, p < 0.01), and impairment type and bike type were not found to be effect modifiers. ConclusionsSprint power was related to road time trial performance in all para-cyclists, with no differences found in this relation based on impairment type nor bike type. For those competing on a bicycle, tricycle, recumbent- or kneeling handbike, sprint tests might therefore be useful to predict or monitor time trial performance.

Highlights

Sprint power data were missing in two bicyclists, one tricyclist not willing to perform the test and four tricyclists who were not able to ride the provided bicycle as their body measurements were not suited for the provided bicycle
A total of 29 handcyclists did not perform the sprint test, of which one had a technical failure during the test, 14 had handbikes that did not fit in the Cyclus system, five did not have a bike available at the test location, and nine were not willing to do the test
Sprint power from a standardized 20-s sprint test was significantly related to the time trial performance for those cycling with leg power and those cycling with arm power

Summary

Objectives

Whilst cycling performance has been studied extensively, very little is known about the performance of para-cyclists. This study assessed the relation between sprint power and road time trial performance in elite para-cyclists, and whether this relation differed based on impairment type and type of bike used. Methods: During international para-cycling events, 168 athletes (88 bicycles, 17 tricycles, 56 recumbent handbikes and 7 kneeling handbikes) performed 20-s sport-specific sprint tests (mean power output (POmean) W), and their road time trial performance (average speed (km/h)) was taken from the official results. Conclusions: Sprint power was related to road time trial performance in all para-cyclists, with no differences found in this relation based on impairment type nor bike type. For those competing on a bicycle, tricycle, recumbent- or kneeling handbike, sprint tests might be useful to predict or monitor time trial performance.

Methods

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Conclusion