The choice of freely preferred cadence by trained nonprofessional cyclists may not be characterized by mechanical efficiency.

BACKGROUND: Most cycling studies involve professional cyclists. Because training may affect riding style, it is of interest to determine the physiological basis for the personal choice of cycling cadence in nonprofessional cyclists.

METHODS: Eleven nonprofessional (5.2±1.7-year-riding experience) male road cyclists, aged 35.0±11.0 years, underwent four separate laboratory test sessions. The first two sessions included habituation, anthropometry, V˙O2max,$\dot V{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{max}},$ and lactate threshold (LaTH) measurements. Freely preferred cadence at LaTH was determined during the second session (mean±SD=94.7±2.9 rev·min-1). During the third and fourth sessions participants performed LaTH tests at 60 and 95 rev·min-1 in a randomized order, with power output (PO) increments of 25 W every 4 min, up to ~90% of V˙O2max.$\dot V{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{max}}{\text{.}}$ Results: V˙O2,$\dot V{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}},$ expired ventilation (V˙E),$({\dot V_E}),$ blood lactate (La), and calculated net mechanical efficiency (MEnet) rose with increased PO. At 95 rev·min-1, V˙O2, V˙E,$\dot V{{\text{O}}_2},{\text{ }}{\dot V_{\text{E}}},$ and La were significantly higher than at 60 rev·min-1 at all POs. MEnet at 95 rev·min-1 was lower than at 60 rev·min-1. Mean PO attained at LaTh did not differ significantly between 60 and 95 rev·min-1 (220.9±29.0 and 214.5±9.2 W, respectively). La values at LaTH were higher at 95 rev·min-1 than at 60 rev·min-1 (3.01±0.17 vs. 2.10±0.13 mM, p<0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that mechanical and physiological efficiencies may not determine the choice of cycling cadence by nonprofessional cyclists. This choice may reflect the need to maintain endurance at the expense of riding at a lower than optimal riding efficiency.