title: Potentiation of sprint cycling performance: the effects of a high-inertia ergometer warm-up.
abstract: Participant and protocol factors affect post-activation potentiation response. Performance enhancement is more consistent in highly-trained participants following multiple sets of a biomechanically similar conditioning activity. Providing optimal conditions, 6 international-level sprint cyclists executed multiple sets of short maximal conditioning contractions on a high-inertia ergometer before metered sprint performance. Three trial conditions were completed on separate days after a standardised warm-up: dynamic (DYN: 4 × 4 crank-cycles), isometric (ISO: 4 × 5-sec maximal voluntary contraction (MVC)), and control (CON: rest). Performance was measured from standing start to maximum velocity on an inertial-load ergometer at baseline (Pre), 4 (Post4), 8 (Post8) and 16 (Post16) min post-conditioning. Performance and biomechanical measures were assessed across 4 sprint segments, with magnitude-based inferences used to assess the likelihood that any affect was beneficial. Performance time only improved in DYN Post4, a 3.9% reduction during the first crank cycle (92% likely). On the ascending limb of the power-cadence relationship, peak torque and average power increased by 6.2% (94% likely) and 4.0% (87% likely), respectively. In ISOPost16, optimal cadence increased (82% likely) and average power improved over the descending limb (76% likely). DYN and ISO potentiated extremities of the torque-cadence relationship at distinct recovery times post-conditioning. This study suggests merit in including a high-inertia warm-up for sprint cycling.
authors.affiliation: a School of Sport and Exercise , Massey University , Palmerston North , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Lynne A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Munro
authors.affiliation: a School of Sport and Exercise , Massey University , Palmerston North , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Stephen R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Stannard
authors.affiliation: a School of Sport and Exercise , Massey University , Palmerston North , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Philip W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.affiliation: a School of Sport and Exercise , Massey University , Palmerston North , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Foskett
mesh_terms: D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D016552:Ergometry / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D019415:Torque; D063996:Warm-Up Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Post-activation potentiation; neuromuscular performance; power; track cycling