Associations of strength indices and cycling economy in young adults

Abstract

Cycling economy is associated with muscle strength in athletes. However, the relationship between strength capacity (i.e. maximal and explosive strength) and cycling economy in previously untrained but healthy individuals remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the associations between cycling economy and strength performance in a population of recreationally active but untrained healthy individuals. A total of 155 recreationally active individuals (95 males and 60 females) were included. Strength capacity was assessed through an incremental one-repetition maximum test, from which the one-repetition maximum, mean propulsive velocity, and mean propulsive power were derived as strength indices. Cycling economy was assessed using a step protocol on a cycle ergometer and gross oxygen cost and caloric unit cost were determined at submaximal intensities. Marginal R2 ranged between 0.013 and 0.062 for the gross oxygen cost and between 0.022 and 0.103 for the gross caloric unit cost, respectively. Greater cycling economy is related to higher strength levels. However, the relationship is relatively weak, explaining only 1.3–6.2 % of the variance in gross oxygen cost and 2.2–10.3 % of the variance in gross caloric unit cost. Greater cycling economy in recreationally active males and females is related to higher strength levels (i.e. one-repetition maximum, mean propulsive velocity, mean propulsive power).