Maximal mechanical power output and capacity of cyclists and young adults

The maximal average power output ( \(\bar W_{\max } \) ) has been examined in 10 male students, 22 pursuit and 12 sprint cyclists. In 24 of these subjects (8 students, 10 pursuit and 6 sprint cyclists), estimates of the maximal capacity ( \(\bar W_{cap} \) ) of the short-term anaerobic energy yielding processes were made. The results show that the sprinters had a higher absolute \(\bar W_{\max } \) (1241±266 W) and \(\bar W_{cap} \) (16.7±4.9 kJ) than either the students (1019± 183 W, 14.7±2.8 kJ) or the pursuit cyclists (962±206 W, 14.0±2.9 kJ). However, the differences were removed when the values were standardised for muscle size. In the sprinters theW _max was attained at an optimal pedal frequency \(\dot V_{opt} \) of 132±3 min⁻¹ and the estimated maximal velocity of pedalling ( \(\dot V_O \) ) was 262±8 min⁻¹. The comparable figures in the students and pursuit cyclists were 118±8 min⁻¹, 235±17 min⁻¹ and 122±6 min⁻¹, 242±12 min⁻¹ respectively. The coefficient of variation of duplicate measurements of \(\bar W_{cap} \) was found to be ±9%. Using data of Wilkie (1968) for muscle phosphagen and glycolytic stores (27 mmol · kg⁻¹), it was estimated that the probable efficiency of the anaerobic processes during maximal cycling was 0.22. It was concluded that \(\bar W_{\max } \) and \(\bar W_{cap} \) are largely determined by body size and muscularity. The efficiency of anaerobiosis appears to be of the same order of magnitude as found for oxidative work.