Abstract
Statement of Problem:
Uphill sections are prevalent in many cycling races. Though increased muscular strength has been shown to increase cycling sprint performance and economy, it has not been shown if muscular strength is a significant performance variable in uphill performance in well-trained cyclists.
Sources of Data:
Ultrasound measurements of the vastus medialis muscle (VMO) for muscle fiber pennation angle, isokinetic max voluntary contractions (MVC) in one-legged knee extension, VO2peak measured via graded exercise test on a cycle ergometer, and time-to-completion (TTC) in a simulated uphill time trial course on a cycle ergometer.
Conclusions Reached:
There was not a significant effect between the independent variables (F(3,1) = 5.890, p = .292), VO2peak (M = 43.50, SD = 11.82), MVC (M = 33.09, SD = 4.42), or pennation angle (M = 23.34, SD = 2.27) on TTC. Muscular strength nor muscle fiber pennation angle had a significant effect on time-to-completion in simulated uphill time trials in well-trained cyclists.