Effects of different pedalling techniques on muscle fatigue and mechanical efficiency during prolonged cycling

The present study aimed to test the influence of the pedalling technique on the occurrence of muscular fatigue and on the energetic demand during prolonged constant-load cycling exercise. Subjects performed two prolonged (45 min) cycling sessions at constant intensity (75% of maximal aerobic power). In a random order, participants cycled either with their preferred technique (PT) during one session or were helped by a visual force-feedback to modify their pedalling pattern during the other one (FB). Index of pedalling effectiveness was significantly (P<0.05) improved during FB (41.4 +/- 5.5%); compared with PT (36.6 +/- 4.1%). Prolonged cycling induced a significant reduction of maximal power output, which was greater after PT (-15 +/- 9%) than after FB (-7 +/- 12%). During steady-state FB, vastus lateralis muscle activity was significantly (P<0.05) reduced, whereas biceps femoris muscles activities increased compared with PT. Gross efficiency (GE) did not significantly differ between the two sessions, except during the first 15 min of exercise (FB: 19.0 +/- 1.9% vs PT: 20.2 +/- 1.9%). Although changes in muscular coordination pattern with feedback did not seem to influence GE, it could be mainly responsible for the reduction of muscle fatigue after prolonged cycling.