The effects of three varying seat positions and three cadences on six physiological measurements associated with cycling

Abstract

Twelve male, categorized United States Cycling Federation (USCF) cyclists (23.1 yrs, 70 in, 163 lbs, 60.37 Q02 ml . kg-1 . min-1, 4.37 V OL~ m in-1) performed 3 submaximal tests while riding a standard, USCF legal road bicycle mounted on a Giant C-Force indoor trainer. Seat position was altered for each submaximal test (Forward = 88 degrees, Middle = 85 degrees, Back = 82 degrees). The Ss cycled at a constant workload of 19 mph throughout all tests. This workload was attained using 3 varying cadences: Fast = 130 rpm, Medium = 90 rpm, Slow = 50 rpm. HR. RER, RPE VEO2, VE, and VO2 ml. kg-1.m in-1 & ~ VO2 L min -1 were compared with seat position coupled with cadence and cadence independent of seat position. The data were collapsed for each stage of each test. For each S there were 9 submax values for each variable analyzed by a 2-way ANOVA with repeated measures. Significant values were further analyzed using a Tukey's post hoc test. No significant differences in physiological variables were found between 3 seat positions at 3 different cadences (p > .05). Significant differences were found between varying cadences (p > .05) independent of seat position. These differences demonstrated significant increases in physiologicai variables at high cadences.