Differences in joint power distribution in high and low lactate threshold cyclists
Purpose The biomechanical differences between cyclists with a high compared with a low blood lactate threshold (HLT; 80% V O 2max vs LLT, 70% V O 2max ) have yet to be completely described. We hypothesize that HLT cyclists reduce the stress placed on the knee extensor muscles by increasing the relat...
Saved in:
Published in | European journal of applied physiology Vol. 121; no. 1; pp. 231 - 238 |
---|---|
Main Authors | , , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Berlin/Heidelberg
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
2021
Springer Nature B.V |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
Cover
Loading…
Summary: | Purpose
The biomechanical differences between cyclists with a high compared with a low blood lactate threshold (HLT; 80%
V
O
2max
vs LLT, 70%
V
O
2max
) have yet to be completely described. We hypothesize that HLT cyclists reduce the stress placed on the knee extensor muscles by increasing the relative contribution from the hip joint during high-intensity cycling.
Method
Sixteen well-trained endurance athletes, with equally high
V
O
2max
while cycling and running completed submaximal tests during incremental exercise to identify lactate threshold (
LT
V
O
2
) while running and cycling. Subjects were separated into two groups based on %
V
O
2max
at LT during cycling (high; HLT: 80.2 ± 2.1%
V
O
2max
;
n
= 8) and (LLT: 70.3 ± 2.9%
V
O
2max
;
n
= 8;
p
< 0.01). Absolute and relative joint specific powers were calculated from kinematic and pedal forces using inverse dynamics while cycling at intensities ranging from 60–90%
V
O
2max
for between group comparisons.
Result
There was no difference between HLT and LLT in
LT
V
O
2
(
p
> 0.05) while running. While cycling in LLT, knee joint absolute power increased with work rate (
p
< 0.05); however, in HLT no changes in knee joint absolute power occurred with increased work rate (
p
> 0.05). The HLT generated significantly greater relative hip power compared with the LLT group at 90%
V
O
2max
(
p
< 0.05).
Conclusion
These data suggest that HLT cyclists exhibit a greater relative hip contribution to power output during cycling at 90%
V
O
2max
. These observations support the theory that lactate production during cycling can be reduced by spreading the work rate between various muscle groups. |
---|---|
Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 1439-6319 1439-6327 |
DOI: | 10.1007/s00421-020-04513-3 |