TY - JOUR
T1 - Cycling-specific isometric resistance training improves peak power output in elite sprint cyclists
T2 - Isometric training improves PPO in elite cyclists
AU - Kordi, Mehdi
AU - Folland, Jonathan
AU - Goodall, Stuart
AU - Menzies, Campbell
AU - Patel, Tejal Sarika
AU - Evans, Martin
AU - Thomas, Kevin
AU - Howatson, Glyn
N1 - Funding Information:
The study was conducted as part of a collaborative studentship between Northumbria University and the English Institute of Sport. The authors would like to thank the coaches, athletes, and support staff for making the study possible.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 The Authors. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science In Sports published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Copyright:
Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2020/9/1
Y1 - 2020/9/1
N2 - Introduction: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a 6-week cycling-specific, isometric resistance training program on peak power output (PPO) in elite cyclists. Methods: Twenty-four elite track sprint cyclists were allocated to EXP (n = 13, PPO, 1537 ± 307 W) and CON (n = 11, PPO, 1541 ± 389 W) groups. All participants completed a 6-week training program; training content was identical except participants in the EXP group replaced their usual compound lower body resistance training exercise with a cycling-specific, isometric resistance training stimulus. Cycling PPO, knee extensor and cycling-specific isometric strength, and measures of muscle architecture were assessed pre- and post-training. Results: In EXP, absolute and relative PPO increased (46 ± 62 W and 0.8 ± 0.7 W/kg, P <.05), and the change in relative PPO was different to CON (−0.1 ± 1.0 W/kg, group × time interaction P =.02). The increase in PPO was concurrent with an increase in extrapolated maximal torque in EXP (7.1 ± 6.5 Nm, P =.007), but the effect was not different from the change in CON (2.4 ± 9.7 Nm, group × time P =.14). Cycling-specific isometric strength also increased more in EXP (group × time P =.002). There were no other between-group differences in response to training. Conclusion: A 6-week novel, cycling-specific isometric resistance training period improved PPO in a group of elite sprint cyclists by 3%-4%. These data support the use of a cycling-specific isometric resistance training stimulus in the preparation programs of world-class cyclists.
AB - Introduction: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a 6-week cycling-specific, isometric resistance training program on peak power output (PPO) in elite cyclists. Methods: Twenty-four elite track sprint cyclists were allocated to EXP (n = 13, PPO, 1537 ± 307 W) and CON (n = 11, PPO, 1541 ± 389 W) groups. All participants completed a 6-week training program; training content was identical except participants in the EXP group replaced their usual compound lower body resistance training exercise with a cycling-specific, isometric resistance training stimulus. Cycling PPO, knee extensor and cycling-specific isometric strength, and measures of muscle architecture were assessed pre- and post-training. Results: In EXP, absolute and relative PPO increased (46 ± 62 W and 0.8 ± 0.7 W/kg, P <.05), and the change in relative PPO was different to CON (−0.1 ± 1.0 W/kg, group × time interaction P =.02). The increase in PPO was concurrent with an increase in extrapolated maximal torque in EXP (7.1 ± 6.5 Nm, P =.007), but the effect was not different from the change in CON (2.4 ± 9.7 Nm, group × time P =.14). Cycling-specific isometric strength also increased more in EXP (group × time P =.002). There were no other between-group differences in response to training. Conclusion: A 6-week novel, cycling-specific isometric resistance training period improved PPO in a group of elite sprint cyclists by 3%-4%. These data support the use of a cycling-specific isometric resistance training stimulus in the preparation programs of world-class cyclists.
KW - isovelocity
KW - knee extensors
KW - muscle
KW - strength
KW - track cycling
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85087219389&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/sms.13742
DO - 10.1111/sms.13742
M3 - Article
SN - 0905-7188
VL - 30
SP - 1594
EP - 1604
JO - Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports
JF - Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports
IS - 9
ER -