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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Cadence selection affects metabolic responses during
cycling and subsequent running time to fatigue
F Vercruyssen, R Suriano, D Bishop, C Hausswirth, J Brisswalter
...............................................................................................................................
See end of article for
authors’ affiliations
.......................
Correspondence to:
Dr Vercruyssen,
Department of Sport
Ergonomics and
Performance, University of
Toulon-Var, BP 132,
83957 La Garde cedex,
France; vercruyssen@
univ-tln.fr
Accepted 6 April 2004
.......................
Br J Sports Med 2005;39:267–272. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2004.011668
Objectives: To investigate the effect of cadence selection during the final minutes of cycling on metabolic
responses, stride pattern, and subsequent running time to fatigue.
Methods: Eight triathletes performed, in a laboratory setting, two incremental tests (running and cycling) to
determine peak oxygen uptake (V
O
2
PEAK) and the lactate threshold (LT), and three cycle-run combinations.
During the cycle-run sessions, subjects completed a 30 minute cycling bout (90% of LT) at (a) the freely
chosen cadence (FCC, 94 (5) rpm), (b) the FCC during the first 20 minutes and FCC220% during the last
10 minutes (FCC220%, 74 (3) rpm), or (c) the FCC during the first 20 minutes and FCC+20% during the
last 10 minutes (FCC+20%, 109 (5) rpm). After each cycling bout, running time to fatigue (T
max
) was
determined at 85% of maximal velocity.
Results: A significant increase in T
max
was found after FCC220% (894 (199) seconds) compared with FCC
and FCC+20% (651 (212) and 624 (214) seconds respectively). V
O
2
, ventilation, heart rate, and blood
lactate concentrations were significantly reduced after 30 minutes of cycling at FCC220% compared with
FCC+20%. A significant increase in V
O
2
was reported between the 3rd and 10th minute of all T
max
sessions, without any significant differences between sessions. Stride pattern and metabolic variables were
not significantly different between T
max
sessions.
Conclusions: The increase in T
max
after FCC220% may be associated with the lower metabolic load during
the final minutes of cycling compared with the other sessions. However, the lack of significant differences in
metabolic responses and stride pattern between the run sessions suggests that other mechanisms, such as
changes in muscular activity, probably contribute to the effects of cadence variation on T
max
.
D
uring triathlon racing (swim/cycle/run), the most
critical and strategic aspect affecting overall perfor-
mance is the change from cycling to running.
1–6
These
studies have attempted to identify aspects of cycling that may
improve running performance in triathletes. Drafting has
been shown to be a beneficial cycling strategy which results
in an improved subsequent running performance in elite
triathletes.
4
More recently, the selection of cycling cadence
during a cycle-run combination has been identified by
researchers as an important variable that may affect overall
performance.
1256
Cadence selection has been reported to
influence metabolic responses, kinematic variables, and
performance during a cycle-run session. However, the extent
to which the cadence selection affects subsequent maximal
running performance during a cycle-run combination
remains unclear.
In a laboratory setting, Vercruyssen et al
5
have shown that
the adoption of a low cadence (73 rpm), corresponding to the
energetically optimal cadence, reduced oxygen uptake (V
O
2
)
during a cycle-run session, compared with the selection of
higher cadences (80–90 rpm). These authors suggested that
the choice of a low cadence (,80 rpm) before the cycle-run
transition may be advantageous for the subsequent run.
However, during field based investigations, Gottshall and
Palmer
2
found an improved 3200 m track running perfor-
mance after 30 minutes of cycling conducted at a high cadence
(.100 rpm) compared with lower cadences (70–90 rpm) for a
group of triathletes. It was suggested that the selection of a
high cadence improved running performance through
increased stride rate and running speed during the subsequent
run. In contrast, Bernard et al
6
showed no effect of cycling
cadence (60–100 rpm) and stride rate on a subsequent 3000 m
running performance. These conflicting results indicate the
difficulty of predicting the optimal cadence selection for a
cycle-run session in trained triathletes.
In most of the above experiments, the triathletes were
required to cycle at either an imposed cadence (range 60–
110 rpm) or a freely chosen cadence (range 80–90 rpm)
which remained constant for the entire 30 minutes of the
cycle bout. This lack of cadence variation does not reproduce
race situations, during which the cadence may vary
considerably especially before the cycle-run transition.
1
Many triathletes attempt to optimise the change from cycling
to running by selecting high cadences (.100 rpm) during the
final kilometres of cycling.
126
Another strategy, however,
may be the selection of a low cadence (,75 rpm) before the
cycle-run transition, in order to conserve energy for the
subsequent run.
45
To our knowledge, no data are available on
cadence changes during the last few minutes before the
cycle-run transition and its effects on subsequent running
performance.
Therefore the aim of this investigation was to examine, in a
laboratory setting, the effect of cadence variations during the
final 10 minutes of cycling on metabolic responses, stride pat-
tern, and subsequent running time to fatigue in triathletes.
METHODS
Participants
Eight experienced male triathletes currently in training
volunteered to take part in this experiment. All had regularly
competed in triathlon racing at either sprint (0.750 km swim/
20 km cycle/5 km run) or Olympic distances (1.5 km swim/
40 km cycle/10 km run) for at least five years. Mean (SD)
training distances a week were 11.1 (2.2) km in swimming,
285.7 (90.0) km in cycling, and 42.1 (12.9) km in running.
Abbreviations: FCC, freely chosen cadence; HR, heart rate; [La
2
],
lactate concentration; LT, lactate threshold; P
max
, maximal power output;
V
max
, maximal running speed; VE, minute ventilation; VO
2
, oxygen
uptake; V
O
2
PEAK, peak oxygen uptake; VO
2SC
,VO
2
slow component
267
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Mean (SD) age of the subjects was 28.9 (7.4) years. Their
mean (SD) height and body mass were 178.3 (5.7) cm and
73.3 (6.0) kg respectively. The test procedures were approved
by the Human Rights Committee of the University of Western
Australia. Each triathlete carried out, in a laboratory setting
(20–22
˚
C, 40–60% relative humidity, 740–760 mm Hg pres-
sure), five test sessions at the same time of day separated by a
rest period of at least 48 hours.
Maximal tests
Two incremental tests were used to determine peak oxygen
uptake (V
O
2
PEAK), maximal power output (P
max
), maximal
running speed (V
max
), and lactate threshold (LT). Subjects
performed cycling bouts on a racing bicycle mounted on a
stationary turbo-trainer system. Variations in power output
were measured using a ‘‘professional’’ SRM crankset system
(Schoberer Rad Messtechnick, Fuchsend, Germany) pre-
viously validated in a protocol comparison using a motor
driven friction brake.
7
Running bouts were performed on a
motorised treadmill situated next to the cycle turbo-trainer.
For cycling, the test bout began at an initial workload of
100 W for three minutes, after which the power output was
increased by 40 W every three minutes until exhaustion. For
the treadmill test, the initial running speed was fixed at
9 kph, with an increase in velocity of 1.5 kph every
three minutes. For both cycling and running tests, there
was a one minute rest period between each increment for the
sampling of capillary blood (35 ml) from a hyperaemic
earlobe. Blood samples were collected to determine plasma
lactate concentration ([La
2
]) using a blood gas analyser
(ABL 625; Radiometer Medical A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark).
During these tests, V
O
2
, minute ventilation (VE), and
respiratory exchange ratio were continuously recorded every
15 seconds using Ametek gas analysers (SOV S-3A and COV
CD3A; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA). The four highest
consecutive V
O
2
values were summed to determine VO
2
PEAK.
8
P
max
and V
max
were calculated as the average power output
and running speed in the last three minutes completed
before exhaustion. Heart rate (HR) was monitored every
10 seconds during each experimental session using an
electronic HR device with a chest electrode (Polar Vantage
NV; Polar Electro Oy, Kempele, Finland). The LT calculated
by the modified D
max
method was determined by the point
on the polynomial regression curve that yielded the maximal
perpendicular distance to the straight line formed by the
lactate inflection point (first increase in lactate concentration
above the resting level) and the final lactate point.
8
Cycle-run combinations
All triathletes completed, in random order, three cycle-run
sessions each composed of 30 minutes of cycling, on a cycle
turbo-trainer, and a subsequent run to fatigue. A fan was
used in front of the subject during these experimental
sessions. Before each experimental condition, subjects
performed 15 minutes of warm up comprising 13 minutes
at a low power output (100–130 W) and the last two minutes
at the individual workload required during the cycle bout of
cycle-run sessions. After two minutes of rest, each triathlete
completed a cycle bout at (a) the freely chosen cadence
(FCC), ( b) the FCC during the first 20 minutes and
FCC220% during the last 10 minutes (FCC220%), or (c)
the FCC during the first 20 minutes and FCC+20% during the
last 10 minutes (FCC+20%). The FCC¡20% range has
previously been used during a 30 minute cycling exercise in
triathletes.
910
Cycling bouts were performed at a power
output corresponding to 90 % of LT (266 (28) W) and
represented an intensity close to that reported in previous
studies of the relation between cycling cadence and running
performance.
56
FCC220% was chosen to replicate cadence
values close to the energetically optimal cadence previously
noted in triathletes,
5
and FCC+20% allowed us to reproduce
cadence values close to those reported during cycling
strategies before running.
126
Cadence and power output
were monitored using the SRM power meter during all
cycling bouts. No feedback was given to the subjects on their
FCC over the three conditions.
After each cycling bout, running time to fatigue (T
max
) was
determined on the treadmill at a running speed correspond-
ing to 85% of V
max
(.LT) for each athlete (16.7 (0.7) kph).
On the basis of previous experiments
11 12
and the completion
of pilots tests, this running intensity was chosen to induce
fatigue in less than 20 minutes. All subjects were given verbal
encouragement throughout each trial. The T
max
was taken as
the time at which the subject’s feet left the treadmill as he
placed his hands on the guardrails. The transition time
between running and cycling was fixed at 45 seconds to
reproduce the racing context.
16
Measurement of metabolic variables
V
O
2
,VE, and HR were monitored and analysed during the
following intervals: 3rd–5th minute of cycling bout (3–
5 min), 20th–22nd minute (20–22 min), 28th–30th minute
(28–30 min) and every minute during the running sessions.
Five blood samples were collected at the following intervals:
before the warm up, at 5, 20, and 30 minutes during cycling,
and at the end of T
max
.
Measurement of kinematic variables
Power output and cycling cadence were continuously
recorded during the cycling bouts. For each running session,
a 50 Hz digital camera was mounted on a tripod 4 m away
from the motorised treadmill. Subsequently, the treadmill
Table 2 Cadence and power output values during the
three cycling bouts at different time periods: 3–5, 20–22,
28–30 min
Cycling bout Cadence (rpm) Power output (W)
FCC220%
3–5 min 93 (5) 264 (30)
20–22 min 75 (3)* 262 (28)
28–30 min 74 (4)* 262 (25)
FCC
3–5 min 94 (5) 264 (30)
20–22 min 94 (5) 264 (29)
28–30 min 95 (5) 265 (30)
FCC+20%
3–5 min 91 (4) 263 (30)
20–22 min 108 (4)* 259 (27)
28–30 min 109 (6)* 262 (30)
Values are mean (SD).
*Significantly different from the first 20 minutes, p,0.05.
Significantly different from the other conditions at the same time period,
p,0.05.
Table 1 Peak exercise responses of triathletes
Variable Cycling Running
V
O
2
PEAK (ml/min/kg) 67.6 (3.6) 68.9 (4.6)
V
O
2
PEAK (l/min) 4.9 (0.4) 5.0 (0.5)
V
O
2
at LT (l/min) 3.8 (0.4) 4.4 (0.5)*
HR
peak
(beats/min) 176 (8) 182 (10)*
[La
2
]
peak
(mmol/l) 14.2 (2.1) 10.4 (3.1)*
P
max
(W)/V
max
(km/h) 395 (34) 19.5 (0.9)
Values are mean (SD).
*Significantly different from running (p,0.05).
V
O
2
PEAK, peak oxygen uptake; LT, lactate threshold; HR
peak
, peak heart
rate; [La
2
]
peak
, peak blood lactate concentration; P
max
, maximal power
output; V
max
, maximal running speed.
268 Vercruyssen, Suriano, Bishop, et al
www.bjsportmed.com
speed and period between two ground contacts for the same
foot were determined using a kinematic video analysis
system (SiliconCoach Pro Version 6, Dunedin, New
Zealand). From these values, stride pattern characteristics—
that is, stride rate (Hz) and stride length (m)—were
calculated every 30 seconds during the first five minutes
and the last two minutes of the T
max
sessions.
Statistical analysis
All data are expressed as mean (SD). A two way variance
analysis plan with repeated measures was performed to
analyse the effects of cadence selection (FCC, FCC220%,
FCC+20%) and time during the cycle-run sessions using V
O
2
,
VE, HR, [La
2
], stride rate, stride length, cadence and power
output, as dependent variables. A Tukey post hoc test was
used to determine any differences between the cycle-run
combinations. Differences in T
max
obtained between the three
experimental conditions were analysed by one way analysis
of variance. A paired t test was used to analyse differences in
V
O
2
PEAK,HR
peak
, and VO
2
at LT between the two maximal
tests. Statistical significance was set at p,0.05.
RESULTS
Maximal tests
No significant differences in V
O
2
PEAK were observed between
the sessions (table 1). However, HR
peak
and VO
2
at LT were
significantly higher during running than during the maximal
cycling bout (+2.9% and +15.8% respectively).
Cycling bouts of cycle-run sessions
No significant variation in FCC was observed during the first
20 minutes of the three cycling bouts (table 2). In addition,
mean power output values were not significantly different
between the cycling bouts (264 (30), 263 (28), and 261
(29) W respectively for FCC, FCC220%, and FCC+20%).
These data show that subjects adhered to the experimental
design with respect to the required power output-cadence
combination.
A significant effect of exercise duration (between 3–5 and
28–30 min intervals) was observed on V
O
2
, VE, and HR
during the FCC and FCC+20% bouts whereas no significant
variation in these metabolic variables was identified with
exercise duration during the FCC220% condition (table 3).
Moreover, mean V
O
2
, VE, and HR were significantly lower at
FCC220% compared with FCC+20% during the 28–30 min
interval (respectively, 25.3%, 218.2%, and 26.8%). [La
2
]
was significantly higher during the 28–30 min interval at
FCC+20% compared with FCC (+31.2%) or FCC220%
(+55.5%).
Running bouts of cycle-run sessions
A significant increase in T
max
was observed only after the
FCC220% modality when compared with both the FCC+20%
and FCC conditions (+43.3% and +37.3% respectively; fig 1).
T
max
values were 624 (214), 651 (212) and 894 (199) seconds
after the FCC+20%, FCC and FCC220% modalities respec-
tively. A significant increase in DV
O
2
—that is, between the
3rd and 10th minute—was found during the T
max
completed
after FCC (+6.1%), FCC+20% (+6.7%), and FCC220%
(+6.5%) (table 4). However, mean V
O
2
, VE, HR, and [La
2
]
were not significantly different between the three T
max
sessions (table 4).
No significant difference in stride pattern was observed
during the T
max
sessions whatever the prior cadence selection
(fig 2). Mean stride rate (Hz) and stride length (m) were 1.49
(0.01) and 3.13 (0.02), 1.48 (0.01) and 3.13 (0.03), 1.49
(0.01) and 3.15 (0.02), during the T
max
sessions subsequent
to the FCC, FCC220% and FCC+20% bouts respectively.
DISCUSSION
The main findings of this investigation show a significant
increase in T
max
when the final 10 minutes of cycling is
performed at FCC220% (894 seconds) compared with FCC
(651 seconds) and FCC+20% (624 seconds). Several hypoth-
eses are proposed to explain the differences in T
max
reported
1200
1000
600
800
400
200
0
After
FCC + 20%
Running time to fatigue (seconds)
After
FCC – 20%
After FCC
Figure 1 Running time to fatigue after the selection of various cycling
cadences. Values are expressed as mean (SD). *Significantly different
from the other sessions, p,0.05.
Table 3 Variations in mean oxygen uptake (VO
2
), minute ventilation (VE), heart rate (HR), and blood lactate concentration
([La
2
]), during the three cycling bouts, at different time periods: 3–5, 20–22, 28–30 min
Cycling bout VO
2
(ml/kg/min) VE (l/min) HR (beats/min) [La
2
] (mmol/l)
FCC220%
3–5 min 47.4 (3.5) 74.7 (9.5) 139 (11) 3.3 (1.2)
20–22 min 47.5 (4.3) 74.8 (1.2) 141 (10) 3.3 (1.4)
28–30 min 48.6 (3.2) 75.3 (9.9) 142 (11) 2.7 (1.0)*
FCC
3–5 min 47.3 (4.4) 74.7 (10.7) 140 (11) 2.7 (0.7)
20–22 min 49.1 (5.2) 80.2 (12.5) 147 (14) 3.3 (1.0)
28–30 min 50.1 (4.8)* 82.5 (12.6) 150 (14)*` 3.2 (0.9)1
FCC+20%
3–5 min 46.1 (3.8) 73.6 (9.0) 138 (11) 2.7 (0.6)
20–22 min 47.8 (3.8) 79.5 (11.1) 144 (12) 2.9 (0.6)
28–30 min 51.2 (4.5)*` 89.0 (12.4)*` 152 (14)*` 4.2 (0.8)*`
Values are expressed as mean (SD).
*Significantly different from the 3–5 min interval, p,0.05.
Significantly different from the 20–22 min interval, p,0.05.
`Significantly different from FCC220% at the same period, p,0.05.
1Significantly different from FCC+20% at the same period, p,0.05.
Cadence selection and running perfo rmance 269
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during the various cycle-run combinations for the group of
triathletes.
A number of studies have analysed characteristics of cycle-
run sessions in triathletes, with particular focus on physio-
logical and biomechanical aspects during the subsequent
run.
1
For instance, during a running session after cycling, a
substantial increase in energy cost, VE, and HR, and
differences in muscle blood flow have been observed
compared with an isolated run.
1356
Moreover, variations in
running kinematics such as stride rate, segmental angular
position, and joint angle have been shown after a cycle
bout.
35
These running alterations, which have been linked to
the effects of exercise duration and cycle-run transition, were
reported during treadmill sessions conducted at a submax-
imal intensity and not during a high intensity running bout.
In this study we investigated these effects at a high intensity
close to a running speed previously observed during a short
cycle-run combination in triathletes.
6
Metabolic hypotheses
The T
max
values of this investigation are comparable to those
previously reported during an exhaustive isolated run
performed at an intensity corresponding to 85–90%
V
O
2
MAX.
11–13
It has previously been reported that metabolic
and muscular factors are potential determinants of middle
distance running performance and/or exhaustive treadmill
sessions in trained subjects.
14–18
With respect to metabolic
factors, the improvement in T
max
observed after FCC220%
may be related to changes in energy contribution. In support
of this hypothesis, it has been reported that the determinants
of maximal performances in middle distance running may be
linked to the energy requirement for a given distance and the
maximal rate of metabolic energy output from the integrative
contribution of aerobic and anaerobic systems.
15 18
During
submaximal and maximal running, the V
O
2
variation has
been reported to reflect the relative contribution from the
aerobic and anaerobic sources.
15
In the context of a cycle-run
session, Bernard et al
6
have reported that triathletes were able
to sustain a higher fraction of V
O
2
MAX during a 3000 m track
run performed after cycling at 60 rpm than during cycling at
80 and 100 rpm. These authors suggested that a greater
contribution of the aerobic component, during running after
the choice of a low cadence, may delay fatigue for longer
running distances. In this investigation, the analysis of V
O
2
may also provide information on possible changes in aerobic
contribution during high intensity running. Given the range
of T
max
values, the metabolic variables were analysed during
the first 10 minutes of each running session, corresponding
approximately to the mean T
max
values reported after the
FCC and FCC+20% modalities (fig 1). The evaluation of this
time interval indicates no significant differences in V
O
2
between the T
max
sessions, suggesting that the determination
of T
max
in this study was not affected by changes in metabolic
energy from the aerobic or anaerobic systems.
There was, however, a significant increase in VO
2
between
the 3rd and 10th minute (6.1–6.7%) during the three T
max
sessions, regardless of the prior experimental condition
(table 4). During exercise lasting less than 15 minutes, the
continual rise in V
O
2
beyond the 3rd minute has been termed
the V
O
2
slow component (VO
2SC
).
5111920
The occurrence of a
V
O
2SC
is classically observed during heavy running and
cycling exercises associated with a sustained lactic acido-
sis—that is, above the LT.
19 21 22
Postulated mechanisms
responsible for this V
O
2SC
include rising muscle temperature
(Q
10
effect), cardiac and ventilatory muscle work, lactate
kinetics, catecholamines, and recruitment of less efficient
type II muscle fibres.
20
Within this framework, Yano et al
23
suggested that muscular fatigue may be one of the factors
that produce the development of a V
O
2SC
during high
intensity cycling exercise.
However, several investigators have examined the influ-
ence of prior exercise on the V
O
2
response during subsequent
exercise.
24–26
Burnley et al
24
showed that the magnitude of VO
2
kinetics during heavy exercise was affected only by a prior
bout of heavy exercise. On the basis of similar results, it has
been suggested that, during successive bouts of heavy
exercise, muscle perfusion and/or O
2
off loading at the
muscle may be improved, resulting in changes in V
O
2
kinetics
during the second bout of exercise.
25 26
In addition, changes
in the V
O
2
response may be accentuated by the manipulation
of cadence during an isolated cycling bout.
27
Gotshall et al
27
showed an increase in muscle blood flow and a decrease in
systemic vascular resistance with increasing cadence (from
1.52
1.51
1.49
1.50
1.48
1.46
1.47
1.45
T
Running time to fatigue (minutes)
Stride rate (Hz)
T – 1T – 2543210.5
After FCC
After FCC + 20%
After FCC – 20%
Figure 2 Variations in stride rate during the running time to fatigue
after the selection of various cycling cadences. T, Stride rate obtained at
T
max
;T21, stride rate obtained at T
max
– 1 min; T22, stride rate
obtained at T
max
– 2 min.
Table 4 Variations in mean oxygen uptake (VO
2
), DVO
2
(10–3 min), minute ventilation
(VE), heart rate (HR), and blood lactate concentration ([La
2
]) during the three running
sessions performed after cycling
Variable Run after FCC2 20% Run after FCC Run after FCC+20%
V
O
2
(ml/min/kg) 63.9 (2.7) 62.0 (2.8) 61.8 (1.4)
V
O
2
(l/min) 4.72 (0.4) 4.59 (0.4) 4.56 (0.3)
V
O
2
(10–3 min)(ml/min)* 291.3 (126.5) 269.9 (123.5) 291.3 (114.5)
VE (l/min) 122.5 (15.8) 122.0 (13.3) 122.8 (10.8)
HR (beats/min) 169 (8) 169 (10) 168 (10)
[La
2
] (mmol/l) 6.8 (1.7) 7.4 (2.1) 7.2 (2.2)
Values are expressed as mean (SD).
*Significantly different between the 3rd and 10th minute of exercise, p,0.05.
270 Vercruyssen, Suriano, Bishop, et al
www.bjsportmed.com
70 to 110 rpm). These previous experimental designs, based
on the characteristics of combined and isolated exercises, are
similar to the current one and suggest that cadence selection
may affect blood flow and hence the V
O
2
response during a
subsequent run. For instance, the increased muscle blood
flow at high cycling cadence
27
during a prior cycle bout could
attenuate the magnitude of V
O
2SC
during subsequent
running.
In contrast with these earlier studies, the VO
2SC
values of
this investigation were not significantly different between
trials during the first 10 minutes of exercise between the T
max
sessions. This was observed despite differences in metabolic
load and cadence selection during the previous cycling bouts.
These results indicate that the adoption of FCC220% is
associated with a reduction in metabolic load with exercise
duration, but does not affect the V
O
2SC
during the subsequent
run. For instance, the selection of FCC220% is associated
with a significant reduction in V
O
2
(25.3%), VE (218.2%),
HR (26.8%), and [La
2
](255.5 %) during the final
10 minutes of cycling compared with FCC+20%, without
any significant changes in V
O
2SC
during subsequent running
between the two conditions. This suggests that the chosen
cadences do not affect the V
O
2
responses during the
subsequent run and also that the occurrence of a V
O
2SC
does
not contribute to the differences in T
max
found in this study.
This is consistent with previous research on trained sub-
jects.
12
Muscular and stride pattern hypotheses
Although we conducted no specific analysis of muscular
parameters, an attractive hypothesis to explain the differ-
ences in T
max
between conditions is that they are due to
differences in the muscular activity or fatigue state during
cycle-run sessions. Muscular contractions differ during
cycling and running. Cycling is characterised by longer
phases of concentric muscular contraction, whereas running
involves successive phases of eccentric-concentric muscular
action.
28
Muscle activity during different modes of contrac-
tion can be assessed from the variation in the electromyo-
graphic signal. In integrated electromyography based
investigations, it has been shown that muscles such as the
gastrocnemius, soleus, and vastus lateralis are substantially
activated during running.
14 17 28
Any alterations in the
contractile capability of these muscles may have affected
the ability to complete a longer T
max
during the cycle-run
sessions in this study.
Furthermore, many studies have reported substantial
changes in muscular activity during isolated cycling exer-
cises, especially when cadence is increased or decreased.
29–32
With respect to the cycle-run combination, the manipulation
of cadence may accentuate modifications in muscular activity
during cycling and influence the level of fatigue during a
subsequent run. Marsh and Martin
30
showed a linear increase
in electromyographic activity of the gastrocnemius and
vastus lateralis muscles when cadences increased from 50
to 110 rpm. Although activity of the gastrocnemius muscle
has been shown to increase considerably more than the
soleus muscle as cadence is increased,
30 31
Ericson et al
29
have
also reported a significant increase in soleus muscle activity
with the selection of high cadences. These results from
isolated cycling exercises conducted in a state of non-fatigue
suggest that, during the last 10 minutes of the cycling bout of
our study, there was greater recruitment of the vastus
lateralis, gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles after cycling at
higher cadences. This may have resulted in an increase in
fatigue of these muscles, which are substantially activated
during subsequent running. In contrast, the lower activity of
the vastus lateralis, gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles after
the FCC220% condition may have reduced the fatigue
experienced during cycling and resulted in improved utilisa-
tion of these muscles during the subsequent run. This may
have contributed to the observed increase in T
max
for this
condition. Nevertheless, Lepers et al
10
suggested that the
neuromuscular fatigue observed after 30 minutes of cycling
was attributable to both central and peripheral factors but
was not influenced by the pedalling rate in the range
FCC¡20%. In this earlier study, the selected power outputs
(.300 W) for all cadence conditions were significantly
higher than those used in our experiment (260–265 W).
The choice of high power outputs during cycling
10
may result
in attenuation of the differentiated effects of extreme
pedalling cadences on the development of specific neuro-
muscular fatigue. Further research is required to analyse the
relation between various pedalling strategies and muscular
recruitment patterns specific to a short cycle-run session
(,1 hour).
The analysis of movement patterns during the cycle-run
sessions also indicates that possible changes in muscle
activity may be associated with modifications in kinematic
variables.
3
Hausswirth et al
3
reported significant variations in
stride rate-stride length combination during a run session
subsequent to a cycling bout compared with an isolated run.
These modifications were attributed to local muscle fatigue
from the preceding cycle. In the present study, the absence of
significant differences in stride pattern during running (fig 2),
regardless of the prior cadence selection, indicates that there
is no relation between stride pattern and running time to
fatigue. These results are consistent with previous results
from a laboratory setting where the running speed was fixed
on a treadmill after various cadence selections.
5
In contrast,
in field based investigations, in which the running speed and
stride pattern were freely selected by the athletes, Gottshall
and Palmer
2
found that cycling at 109 rpm, compared with 71
and 90 rpm, during a 30 minute cycle session resulted in an
increased stride rate and running speed during a 3200 m
track session. However, these results are in contrast with
those of Bernard et al
6
indicating an effect of the prior
cadence on stride pattern only during the first 500 m and not
during the overall 3000 m run. The relation between stride
pattern, cycling cadence, and running performance is not
clear. Further investigation is required to elucidate the
mechanisms that affect running performance during a
cycle-run session.
In conclusion, this study shows that the choice of a low
cadence during the final minutes of cycling improves
subsequent running time to fatigue. The findings suggest
What is already known on this topic
Various characteristics of cycle-run sessions in triathletes
have been studied, with particular focus on physiological and
biomechanical aspects during the subsequent run. During a
running session after cycling, a substantial increase in energy
cost, minute ventilation, and heart rate, and differences in
muscle blood flow have been observed compared with an
isolated run. Moreover, variations in running kinematics such
as stride rate, segmental angular position, and joint angle
have been shown after a cycle bout.
What this study adds
This study shows that the choice of a low cadence during the
final minutes of cycling improves subsequent running time to
fatigue.
Cadence selection and running perfo rmance 271
www.bjsportmed.com
that metabolic responses related to VO
2
do not explain the
differences in running time to fatigue. However, the effect of
cadence selection during the final minutes of cycling on
muscular activity requires further investigation. From a
practical standpoint, the strategy to adopt a low cadence
before running, resulting in a lower metabolic load, may be
beneficial during a sprint distance triathlon.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We gratefully acknowledge all the triathletes who took part in the
experiment for their great cooperation and motivation.
Authors’ affiliations
.....................
F Vercruyssen, J Brisswalter, Department of Sport Ergonomics and
Performance, University of Toulon-Var, BP 132, 83957 La Garde cedex,
France
R Suriano, D Bishop, School of Human Movement and Exercise Science,
University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
C Hausswirth, Laboratory of Physiology and Biomechanics, Nationale
Institute of Sport and Physical Education, 11, avenue du Tremblay, 75
012 Paris, France
Competing interests: none declared
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