Comparison of aero-bars versus traditional cycling postures on physiological parameters during submaximal cycling.
The purpose of this investigation was to quantify the difference in energy expenditure between traditional cycling handlebars and aero-bars during outdoor submaximal cycling. Eleven trained cyclists (age = 29.3 +/- 1.9 years, weight = 69.4 +/- 3.8 kg, VO2max = 58.1 +/- 2.0 ml.kg-1.min-1) were randomly assigned a sequence of three hand positions: brake hoods (BH), drop-bars (DB), and aero-bars (AB). Subjects cycled at 30 km.h-1 in one position for 5 minutes, then recovered until HR fell below 120 bpm. This was then repeated for the other hand positions. All cycling was completed on a standard racing bike fitted with aero-bars. Tire pressure was held constant for all trials. A portable telemetric system (Cosmed K-2) was used to measure VO2, VE and heart rate (HR) during the trials. No statistical differences were observed between AB and DB. Significant differences (p < .05) were found between BH (VE = 66.1 +/- 2.7 L.min-1; HR = 152 +/- 4 bpm; VO2 = 1.56 +/- .15 L.min-1) and AB (VE = 61.3 +/- 2.8 L.min-1; HR = 146 +/- 4 bpm; VO2 = 1.31 +/- .10 L.min-1). AB provides an energy savings over the traditional BH cycling posture.
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Allan McGavin Sports Medicine Centre, Vancouver, BC.
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Potvin
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Coutts
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McKenzie
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D012119:Respiration; D013686:Telemetry