How low can you go - exploring the balance be-tween aerodynamic advantages and derived dis-advantages from lowering of the upper-body
Keywords:
exercise economy, torso angle, aerodynamics, time trialAbstract
Lowering of the upper body to optimize cycling time trial (TT) performance is a balance between aerodynamic benefits from reducing the rider’s frontal area and the reported detrimental physiological effects of decreasing the hip-torso angle. To explore this issue in trained athletes and across positions relevant for elite TT, racing positions for international (top-10 world championships [WC] TT finishers), and national elite (10 male) cyclists were analyzed. Lab studies on the national group were completed to evaluate effects on exercise economy, muscle oxygenation and perceived exertion for their habitual position, respectively, the range of racing positions observed for both groups of elite TT riders. Torso-horizontal angel for top-10 WC finishers ranged from 4-12˚ and in the national elite ranged from 8-18˚. For the lowest observed and lab-investigated position (4˚ torso-angle), perceived exertion was aggravated compared to the more upright 12˚ and 20˚ positions and higher than scores for rider’s habitual position. However, there was no difference in overall energy expenditure, gross- and delta efficiency or measures of muscle oxygenation across the investigated range of positions. Observations from this study indicate that elite time trial cyclists may adopt a very low position without compromising exercise economy or muscle oxygen delivery. However, the elevated exertion expressed for the lowest position indicate that other (individual/not accounted for) factors may affect and compromise the ability to adapt to very low racing positions.
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