Strength Training and Cycling

CAN STRENGTH TRAINING BOOST YOUR CYCLING?

Can strength training boost your endurance cycling performance? At first glance, strength training and aerobic cycling seems like polar opposites. Strength training reduces the density of mitochondria - the structures in which aerobic energy is created - inside muscle cells, and it fails to increase capillary density or the intramuscular concentrations of aerobic enzymes. In general, strength training improves the ability to perform high load, low-repetition exercise; it has a significant impact on muscular strength and anaerobic power and no effect on maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max). Endurance cycling training, on the other hand, hikes mitochondrial density, raises aerobic enzyme levels, and hoist capillary density; it enhances the capacity to carry out low-load, high repetition exertion and usually has little impact on muscular strength and anaerobic power - but does improve VO2max. The end results of endurance and strength training appear to be completely different, and prescribing strength training for endurance cyclists seems to violate the specificity of training principle, which states that training programs should mimic an athlete's specific exercise patterns and requirements.

Indeed, several decent studies have found that strength training has no positive impact on cycling performance. In research carried out at the University College of London, for example, 12 weeks of heavy duty resistance training failed to improve cycling power (1). In this British investigation, 17 physically active subjects (11 males and 6 females, average age 29) trained three times per week, with each session consisting of four sets of six repetitions at the maximum load that could be lifted six times; this turned out to be approximately 80 percent of the maximum load of a single lift (80 percent of the "1 RM"). The subjects recovered for one minute between sets and had their 1-RM strength re-evaluated at the beginning of each week (as it advanced, the weight used in the sets correspondingly increased).

The 12-week training program had a major impact on the subjects' leg-extension strength, which vaulted upward by 160 percent for the men and 200 percent for the women. However, the strength training regime had no positive effect at all on maximal power output during cycling, either at 70, 80, or 100 rpm.

In a separate piece of research carried out in the Human Performance Laboratory at the University of Queensland in Australia, 21 well-trained female cyclists (age 18-42) who had been training for an average of 2.5 years were randomly assigned to either a resistance-training group or a control group (2). Subjects in the resistance training group carried out two strength workouts per week on top of their usual endurance work and completed 24 total strength sessions over a 12-week period. Each strength workout started with a five-minute general warm-up, five minutes of stretches, and about 28 warm-up "squats." The workout itself consisted of three to five sets of squats at intensities ranging from 2 RM to * RM; three-minute recovery periods were sandwiched between the sets. The total amount of endurance training was equivalent between the resistance and control groups.

As it turned out, the 12-week program was extremely effective at boosting 1-RM squatting strength, which soared by 36 percent in the experimental group (control subjects failed to improve). However, the strength training was unable to improve cycling performance; average power output during a one-hour cycling time trial was unchanged in the squatters after 12 weeks.

So, why do cyclists and their coaches often claim that strength training improves their fatigue-resistance, hill-climbing prowess, attacking ability in races, and closing sprint capacity during races? Well, research has shown that there is a solid connection between the anaerobic power of cyclist and their competitive ability. In research carried out with United States Cycling Federation athletes from different categories at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, investigators found that cyclists in the highest performance category had the loftiest anaerobic power (3). Of course, anaerobic power is something which conventional strength training is supposed to reliably increase.

In addition, it is important to bear in mind that not all of the research on strength training and endurance cyclist performance has been negative. In a unique study carried out by noted researcher Asker Juekendrup and his colleagues from the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, a group of competitive cyclists who substituted explosive strength training for about one-third of their usual endurance training upgraded maximal power output and time-trial performance in just four weeks, compared with individuals who continue with their usual endurance training (4).

In this Dutch-English inquiry, 14 experienced cyclists took part; six were placed in the experimental, explosive-training group, while the other eight athletes served as controls. The athletes were accustomed to training for about 12 to 13 hours per week and had been training at a high level for an average of five to eight years. During the experimental period, both groups averaged nine hours of training each week, but for the explosive group 37 percent of the total time consisted of explosive training. The control group carried out only typical endurance training.

The explosive sessions consisted of high-rep, low-resistance, quick-as-possible movements, with 30 reps per set for each exercise. Resistance was set so that the athletes could keep up their speed of movement during the first 20 reps of the 30-rep sets, with some power lost over the last 10 reps. If the athletes could finish an exercise with a constant rate of movement, the resistance was increased. Each explosive workout proceeded as follows:

(1) 10-minute warm-up on bike at 75 percent of heart-rate max

(2) Squats: 2 sets of 30 reps, with short recovery between sets

(3) Leg Presses: 2 sets of 30 reps, with short recovery

(4) Leg Pulls: 2 sets of 30 reps

(5) One-Leg Step-Ups: 2 sets of 30 reps

(6) 10 minutes of cycling at 75 percent of heart-rate max

After step 6 was completed, steps 2-6 were performed one more time.

As mentioned, the average power output achieved during a one-hour time trial increased significantly after just four weeks of training in the explosive group but failed to budge upward for the control, endurance-training-only cyclists. In addition, maximal power sailed upward after four weeks for the explosive fellows but was stagnant in the endurance riders. Interestingly enough, the explosive group cyclists were also able to maintain their "short-term performance" (the ability to cycle all-out for just 30 seconds) over a nine-week period, while the strictly endurance-trained athletes lost short-term performance power. Also, the explosive athletes tended to become more efficient over the study period (i.e., could complete more work per minute for each unit of energy expended), while the endurance cyclists did not. The explosive strength training was a winner!

more

De-trained and Fat.

It has been five months since I have ridden a bicycle for serious amateur training, not counting the five minutes spent warming up on a spin bike at every gym session in preparation for weight training. The only training I've been doing is strength weight training four days per week using a split routine - upper body one day, lower body the next. You lose aerobic capacity due to diminished Mitochondria as a consequence of strength training in the gym and lack of specificity to cycling. Mitochondria provide the energy a cell needs, they are the power centers of the cell. Endurance training is required to increase Mitochondria.

I thought it would be interesting to do a 20 minute FTP (Functional Threshold Power) test to determine how much my cycling muscles have been de-trained. My racing weight is around 172 to 177 lbs - I am currently at 188 lbs due to increase muscle mass and fat from strength weight training and eating pretty much anything.

As you can see below at a body weight of 188 lbs, I could only manage 163 watts average for 20 minutes subtract 5% = 155 watts for predicted 60 minute average. My pain and latic threshold have diminished considerably due to only lifting heavy weights in a rep range of 4 to 10 reps x 4 sets.

Also attached are other FTP test over the years for comparison. For the same test on November 2010 at a body weight of 173 lbs I was able to maintain a more consistent pace and higher average wattage of 203 watts for 20 minutes subtract 5% = 193 watts for predicted 60 minute average. All tests were done on a Saris Cyclops Spin Bike.

As of 11/27/2011
Age 46
Weight - 188 lbs
FTP - 155 Watts
Body Fat - no clue
Full squat - 225 lbs x 4 reps (butt to floor)
Half squat - 315 lbs x 4 reps (thighs parallel to floor)
Leg press - 720 lbs x 6 reps
Dead lift - 315 lbs x 1 rep
Bench press - 205 lbs x 4 reps

11/27/2011 FTP 155 WATTS

3/27/2011 FTP 228 WATTS

 

11/3/2010 FTP 193 WATTS

6/30/2010 FTP 229 WATTS

2/19/2010 FTP 198 WATTS

11/27/2009 FTP 191 WATTS

10/31/2008 FTP 207 WATTS

So I need an incentive to start riding again, therefore I think I am going to turn pro. The difference between amateurs and pros, is that pros get paid, I have decided to pay myself $1 for every mile ridden. Today I made $30 which goes towards savings.

10 29 2011 Track and Road items for sale

CASCO HELMET WITH VISOR AND CARRY CASE - $200 (SOLD)

CYCLOPS TRAINER - $75

FSA 52/42 ALUM ROAD CHAIN RING - $20

H20 STEEP ANGLE ROAD STEM - $30

DELTA HEAD TUBE EXTENDER - $20

KARBONA CARBON FIBER FRONT TRACK TRI SPOKE - $300 (SOLD)

KARBONA CARBON FIBER REAR TRACK DISK WHEEL - $500 (SOLD)

NASHBAR SKEWERS - $10 (SOLD)

NASHBAR ALUM 80MM ROAD STEM - $10

NASHBAR SKEWERS - $10 (SOLD)

NASHBAR WHEEL BAGS - FREE WITH KARBONA WHEELS (SOLD)

PERFORMANCE NEOPRENE WINTER BOOTIES - $20

PROFILE ALUM CLIP ON AERO BARS FOR ROAD OR TRACK - $40 (SOLD)

PROFILE KINKED SEATPOST & NASHBAR SADDLE - $50 (SOLD)

PROLITE ALUM 90MM STEM - $10

PROLITE ALUM SEAT POST - $10

RITCHEY ALUM ADJUSTABLE STEM - $20

SPECIALIZED ALUM 110MM ROAD STEM - $30

SRAM ROAD CHAIN - $10

VISION TECH ALUM AERO BARS FOR ROAD OR TRACK - $100 (SOLD)

Send me an email at kissenatrackracing@gmail.com if you are in the New York City area and are interested.

10 28 2011 Kissena Velodrome

1986 Goodwill Games - Sprints

Video provided by Larry DeSario

1984 Kissena Twilight Class A race by Lary DeSario

Video - Debbie DeSario
Announcer - Al Toefield
Organizer - Al Toefield
Orange Van - Al Toefield

Group A (cat 1 &2) Scratch Race
Winner - Larry DeSario

Some participants:
Eric Zaltas
Jim Lehane
Pat Gellineau
Mike McCarthy
Aubrey Gordon
Jimmy Keough
Alex Shadoo
Gopi


Comment by Larry Desario:
My event was sprinting but I could hold my own in a short scratch race.  I did my share of pulling when I could, but you just knew the endurance riders were trying to drop you before the finish.

July 2011 Kissena State Championships by Mark Wagner

Session two started with flying 200's to determine seeding for the sprints. I decided to step up my gearing to a 50x14, which I think is around 96" or so. Karl and I both used the same gearing (same rear wheel, actually) to achieve similar 200 times of 12.66 and 12.60 seconds, respectively. I think the gear really helped me knock off a second from my time last year, which was a 13.55.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/101581244

read more here

2011 Masters Nationals - Flying 200 meter times at T-Town

Link to Results Page

Kissena Velodrome Records - by Larry DeSario

Back in the 60's, 70's, 80's records were talked about among the track aficionados.  We had no internet then. Prior to 72-73 most talk centered on Jack Simes III.  I remember a labor day meet (1968?) in which Preston Handy attempted to break the 200 meter tt record of Simes which was announced to be 11.6, but he missed it riding an 11.85.

After I rode my flying lap and 200m times at Kissena I asked Jack Simes what his times were when he rode there.  He told me he would have to look them up in his notes but he did say that 11.6 was the time he remembers as being his best.  I've seen in training (1970) Sam Zeitland (The Brooklyn Flash) knocking off mid 11's one particular afternoon. He rode gears 46x14 and 47x14.

I thought the kilometer record was 1.13, being performed either during the 1964 Nationals or Olympic trials. The crowds in attendance were huge.  Jesus Portalatin rode a 1.13 as a Junior in 1970.  When Steve Woznick set his kilometer time of 1.12.4 at the New Jersey State Championships it was said to be the fastest time at Kissena.  As far as I know, nobody broke Woznick's record of 1.12.4 until Colin Prensky's ride. When I saw that he rode it on Opening Day in May I was duly impressed.  It should be noted that Keith Rapasardi rode a 1.13.7 winning the NYS Kilo Title in 1985.

Colin Prensky - Fastest Kilo time 1:11.10 on May 7, 2011

For the Pursuits I may have somewhere the times ridden in the 1970 nationals held there (Chauner vs VandeVelde).  However, with the technology (aero bars/discs) there has to be faster times by the more recent cyclists.

All of this is unofficial, again, there was no internet or precise record keeping at Kissena that I know of.  However, it should be noted that prior to 1973-74 Kissena was the only Velodrome on the east coast.  It was frequented by many of the top cyclists of it's day.  In 1972 we had a Pro-Am competition in which some of the Raleigh Pros and some other internationals competed against the local elite east team.  I have some 8mm footage that I would like to convert to disc.  Some pretty neat historical stuff.

I moved to South Florida in 1986.  This was before Kirk Whiteman’s time. I met Kirk at Manchester when he won the Worlds there.  I have no idea of his times at Kissena. In the early 80's Nelson Vails arrived on the scene. Nelson rode the kilo in 1982 (we tied at  1.16.3) but not the sprints.  He was doing most of his training elsewhere so I can't really say what flying 200 times he did.   Perhaps, somebody from that time frame can fill in the gaps. I do know, that in 1983 Nelson just improved tremendously, winning the sprints at the Pan Ams. He was a fantastic jumper.

LD

Hour record by Ken Harris:

Ken Harris - holds the Hour Record for Kissena (110 Laps) 8/21/2008

KISSENA VELODROME RECORDS:

Flying 200 Meter = 11.6 by Jack Simes III (unofficial)

Flying One Lap 400 Meter = ?

Standing Start 400 meter =30.72 Chris Barbaria on 6/28/2009 (unofficial)

Sanding Start 500 meter =?

1000 meter (Kilo) = 1:11.10 by Colin Prensky on 5/7/2011 (unofficial)

1600 meter = 2.01.19 by Colin Prensky on 6/28/2009 (unofficial)

2000 meter =?

3000 meter =?

Hour Record = 110 laps by Ken Harris on 8/21/2008 (official)