Reliability of a Cycle Sprint Test to Measure Lower Limb Muscle Power

Abstract

This study examined the reliability of a cycle sprint test for measuring lower limb muscle power. Twenty asymptomatic volunteers completed the test on two occasions, with one week between test sessions. Participants sat on a stationary road bicycle with commercial power meters in the pedal cranks. Maximum and average muscle power was measured during three, 10-second sprint efforts. The test demonstrated excellent within- and between-day reliability for both maximum and average power measurement (ICC=0.93 to 0.97). The within-day Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) was between 25.9W (6.1%) and 35.1W (8.5%), and 24.8 (6.5%) and 28.6W (7.7%) for maximum and average power respectively. The between-day SEM was 34.3W (7.8%) for maximum power and 26.4W (7.1%) for average power. Reliability of the cycle sprint test has been established, along with thresholds for significant change. The cycle sprint test may have relevance in clinical populations to evaluate lower limb muscle power following injury, or to measure rehabilitation outcomes.