The power of cycling

Abstract

One of the advantages of cycling exercise is that the rider is interfaced to a machine, and this exercise can be easily metered. Recent technological advances have made this metering easier and cheaper such that riders, sports scientists and coaches are able to record the external work done, and thus the net rate of mechanical work (power) during training and racing. Since external power is related to performance, the power requirements of competition can be observed and the training intensity can be prescribed. However, the ability to closely scrutinize power during training brings about a number of issues which need to be addressed. These issues include the accuracy and reliability of the meter, the relationship of the external work rate to the total physiological stress, and how training prescription through analysis by power may change the athlete-coach relationship.