Track applications for a powermeter

1. Track applications for a powermeter Andrew R. Coggan, Ph.D. Cardiovascular Imaging Laboratory Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, MO 63021

2. Barriers to powermeter use by track cyclists • Cost of equipment • SRM Amateur crank not available in track version • SRM Pro track crank costs € 2668 (~$3400) • SRM Science track crank costs € 5336 (~$6800) • Misconceptions/misperceptions about potential benefits • Old school attitudes/resistance to change (to quote one coach: “What do you need that powermeter for? It’s not going to pedal the bike for you!”) • Belief that under the quasi-controlled conditions found at a track, all you really need is a stopwatch.

3. PowerTap Pro adapted for track use

4. Is a stopwatch enough? (a tale of two pursuits) TT on 8/8/2002 Qualifying on 8/27/2002

5. Is a stopwatch enough? (a tale of two pursuits ) Sometimes the stopwatch lies!

6. Ways that track cyclists can use a powermeter • Aerodynamic testing • Monitoring/managing training load • Determining race demands • Evaluating physical performance • Evaluating technical performance • Evaluating training methods

7. 1. Field testing to determine aerodynamic drag

8. Timed saved due to 5% change in:

9. Field testing to determine aerodynamic drag

10. 2. Monitoring and managing training load

11. Use of powermeter data to manage the trainingof an elite track cyclist

12. 3. Determining demands of specific events

13. Power and cadence during 200 m TTin world class cyclists From Martin JC, Gardner AS, Barras M, Martin DT. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 37:S82, 2005

14. Quantifying the neuromuscular demands of training and racing: AEPF vs. CPV Average effective pedal force (AEPF) = (power • 60)/(cadence • 2 • Pi • crank length) Circumferential pedal velocity (CPV) = (cadence • 2 • Pi • crank length)/60

15. Quadrant analysis of points race vs. criterium

16. Rider A Rider B VO2max = 4.47 L/min G.E. = 24.1% Est. MAOD = 3.36 L Ave. power = 397 W CdA = 0.214 m2 3 km time = 3:47.3 VO2max = 4.20 L/min Efficiency = 23.9% Est. MAOD = 5.27 L Ave. power = 411 W CdA = 0.236 m2 3 km time = 3:49.7 Total Total 20% 28% 80% 72% Maximal aerobic Maximal aerobic Estimation of the relative contributions of aerobic and anaerobic metabolism to pursuit performance

17. 4. Evaluating physical performance

18. Comparison of performance in 3 km pursuits performed at altitude vs. sea level

19. 5. Evaluating technical performance

20. Effect of team pursuit training on power requirement while drafting (Project 96 data)

21. Variation in power in turns and straights during 3 km pursuit Less experienced rider More experienced rider

22. 5. Evaluating training methods

23. Effect of six sessions of standing start trainingon AEPF-CPV relationship

24. Effect of six sessions of standing start trainingon power-CPV relationship

25. Gearing does not affect AEPF-CPV relationship during standing starts!

26. Effect of specific interval training on anaerobic work capacity (Monod model)

27. Conclusions There are myriad ways in which a powermeter can be used to improve track cycling performance. Indeed, given that on the track the difference between winning and losing is often extremely small, it can be argued that track cyclists may benefit from use of a powermeter to an even greater extent than road (or off-road) cyclists.

28. The end

29. Any questions?