Leiter:        Univ.-Prof. Dr. habil. Volker Zschorlich

Tel.:             0381/498 2766

E-Mail:        wuttigrai.noipant(at)uni-rostock.de

Investigations of aerodynamic parameters in cycling positions by coasting-down technique

Aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance usually play an important role during sport cycling as resistive forces. Optimal cycling position is a key factor to the acquisition of high speeds during competition. The purpose of present study was to investigate effect of cycling positions consisting of upright position (UP), aero position (AP) and fully drop position (DP), on aerodynamic parameters. Instead of measuring in wind tunnel, coasting-down technique is a method that can measure both air drag and rolling friction.

Effects of cycling positions on cardiorespiratory responses during submaximal spiroergometry in cyclists

The purpose of this study was to investigate effect of three cycling positions, consisting of UP, AP and fully DP, on cardiorespiratory responses during submaximal exercise testing. Twenty-four recreational male cyclists were randomly assigned to perform three cycling positions on three separate days with at least two days of recovery period. Participants cycled on stationary ergometer, and were asked to maintain the cadence of 80 rev∙min-1 in UP for a 3-min rest session, followed by a 3-min warm-up session with workload of 60 Watts, at the beginning of test trials. Participants were then instructed to continuously perform a series of three 5-min cycling sessions with workload levels of 100, 140 and 180 Watts, respectively. Cardiorespiratory parameters, including heart rate, oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide output, minute ventilation, tidal volume, breathing frequency  and respiratory exchange rate, were continuously recorded breath-by-breath using a portable telemetric gas analysis system (Jaeger Oxycon Mobile®).