Effect of cadence selection on peak power and time of power production in elite BMX riders: A laboratory based study

The aims of this study were to analyse the optimal cadence for peak power production and time to peak power in bicycle motocross (BMX) riders. Six male elite BMX riders volunteered for the study. Each rider completed 3 maximal sprints at a cadence of 80, 100, 120 and 140revsmin(-1) on a laboratory Schoberer Rad Messtechnik (SRM) cycle ergometer in isokinetic mode. The riders' mean values for peak power and time of power production in all 3 tests were recorded. The BMX riders produced peak power (1105 +/- 139W) at 100revsmin(-1) with lower peak power produced at 80revsmin(-1) (1060 +/- 69W, (F(2,15)=3.162; P=.266; (2)=0.960), 120revsmin(-1) (1077 +/- 141W, (F(2,15)=4.348; P=.203; (2)=0.970) and 140revs min(-1) (1046 +/- 175W, (F(2,15)=12.350; P=0.077; (2)=0.989). The shortest time to power production was attained at 120revsmin(-1) in 2.5 +/- 1.07s. Whilst a cadence of 80revs min(-1) (3.5 +/- 0.8s, (F(2,15)=2.667; P=.284; (2)=0.800) 100revs min(-1) (3.00 +/- 1.13s, (F(2,15)=24.832; P=.039; (2)=0.974) and 140revsmin(-1) (3.50 +/- 0.88s, (F(2,15)=44.167; P=.006; (2)=0.967)) all recorded a longer time to peak power production. The results indicate that the optimal cadence for producing peak power output and reducing the time to peak power output are attained at comparatively low cadences for sprint cycling events. These findings could potentially inform strength and conditioning training to maximise dynamic force production and enable coaches to select optimal gear ratios.