title: Gross cycling efficiency is not altered with and without toe-clips.
abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the claim that reductions of 8-18% in submaximal oxygen consumption (VO2) could be due to changing components on a Monark ergometer, from standard pedals without toe-clips or straps (flat pedals) to racing pedals of that era, which included toe-clips and straps (toe-clip pedals). This previously untested assertion was evaluated using 11 males (mean age 22.3 years, s= 1.2; height 1.82 m, s= 0.07; body mass 82.6 kg, s= 8.8) who completed four trials in a randomized, counterbalanced order at 60 rev min(-1) on a Monark cycle ergometer. Two trials were completed on flat pedals and two trials on toe-clip pedals. The Douglas bag method was used to assess VO2 and gross efficiency during successive 5-min workloads of 60, 120, 180, and 240 W. The mean VO2 was 2.1% higher for toe-clip pedals than flat pedals and there was a 99% probability that toe-clip pedals would not result in an 8% lower VO2. These results indicate that toe-clip pedals do not reduce VO2.
authors.affiliation: Sport and Exercise Science, University of Bath, Bath, UK.
authors.forename: Laura M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ostler
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Betts
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Gore
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D016552:Ergometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019876:Sports Equipment
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen