Pedalling variability in cyclists of different competitive levels

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyse the influence of competitive level and pedalling intensity on crank torque variability. Seventy-two cyclists (Club, Elite, Professional) pedalled at 200, 250 and 300 W on a cycle ergometer that recorded crank torque. Linear (average Standard Deviation) and non-linear (Sample Entropy) variability analyses were applied. Both competitive level and pedalling intensity showed a significant effect on Sample Entropy values of crank torque, with a significant interaction between the two factors, while average Standard Deviation was only affected by pedalling intensity. In conclusion, pedalling intensity effect on crank torque variability could be explained by the changes in the biomechanical constrains of the cycling task and the “minimal intervention principle”, while linear and non-linear variability results must be interpreted in a different way, as non-linear variability has shown a bigger potential for fine discrimination between cyclists’ competitive levels.