title: Determining optimal cadence for an individual road cyclist from field data.
abstract: The cadence that maximises power output developed at the crank by an individual cyclist is conventionally determined using a laboratory test. The purpose of this study was two-fold: (i) to show that such a cadence, which we call the optimal cadence, can be determined using power output, heart-rate, and cadence measured in the field and (ii) to describe methodology to do so. For an individual cyclist's sessions, power output is related to cadence and the elicited heart-rate using a non-linear regression model. Optimal cadences are found for two riders (83 and 70 revolutions per minute, respectively); these cadences are similar to the riders' preferred cadences (82-92 rpm and 65-75 rpm). Power output reduces by approximately 6% for cadences 20 rpm above or below optimum. Our methodology can be used by a rider to determine an optimal cadence without laboratory testing intervention: the rider will need to collect power output, heart-rate, and cadence measurements from training and racing sessions over an extended period (>6 months); ride at a range of cadences within those sessions; and calculate his/her optimal cadence using the methodology described or a software tool that implements it.
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Sports Business, Salford Business School , University of Salford , Salford M5 4WT , UK.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Sports Business, Salford Business School , University of Salford , Salford M5 4WT , UK.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Scarf
authors.affiliation: b Department of Sports Studies , University of Winchester , Sparkford Road, Winchester SO22 4NR , UK.
authors.forename: Simon Adrian
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Jobson
authors.affiliation: c School of Sport and Exercise Sciences , University of Kent , Medway Building, Chatham , Kent ME4 4AG , UK.
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Passfield
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cycling; TRIMP; heart-rate; power; training load