Optimal Velocity for Maximal Short-term (Anaerobic) Power Output in Cycling

In recent years there has been an upsurge of interest in the measurement of short-term anaerobic power, although in fact many investigators have, over the years, made measurements of a brief maximal sprint effort performed pedalling a cycle ergometer or running up a flight of stairs (see e.g. Asmussen and Boje 1945; Margaria, Aghemo, and Rovelli 1966). However, as Wilkie (1960) has pointed out it is crucial when measuring power output from muscle that the external load is c'osely matched to the capacity of the active muscles so that they operate at the optimum velocity for maximal power output as defined by the force velocity relationship. Clearly this is a difficult condition to fulfill or assess using a technique such as stair climbing or an accelerating sprint effort performed on a cycle ergometer, since velocity and hence power output will be changing throughout the measurement period, and these changes will be independent of any other factors which may be the subject of investigation. In order to overcome this problem we described in an earlier paper a technique utilising an isokinetic cycle ergometer which allowed measurements of muscle force and power output to be made under constant velocity conditions (Sargeant, Hoinville, and Young, 1981). Using this technique we were able to identify the optimal velocity for true maximal short.term power output measurement in this form of cycling exercise.