Competitive Cyclists’ Freely Chosen Cadence Is History Dependent

Background: Not much is known about history dependence of freely chosen
cadence in competitive cyclists. Objective: It was investigated whether initial
cycling at relatively low and high preset target cadences affected a subsequent
freely chosen cadence at the end of the same bout of submaximal ergometer
cycling. Methods: Nineteen male competitive cyclists performed a single test
session consisting of three separate bouts at 180 W. In one bout, cycling at 60
rpm was followed by cycling at freely chosen cadence. In another bout, cycling
at 110 rpm was followed by cycling at freely chosen cadence. In yet another
bout (considered reference), the cadence was freely chosen, throughout. Motor
rhythm output (cadence), biomechanical (including tangential pedal force),
and physiological (heart rate) responses were measured. Results: Increased
cadence resulted in increased internal power and decreased maximal tangential
pedal force, and vice versa . This was in accordance with existing knowledge.
Initial cycling at 60 and 110 rpm caused the subsequent freely chosen
cadence to be about 6 rpm lower and higher (p < 0.01), respectively, than the
freely chosen cadence (91.2 ± 9.9 rpm) at the end of the reference bout. These
differences in cadence were accompanied by differences in heart rate and pedal
force (p < 0.05). Conclusions: For competitive cyclists, the freely chosen cadence
at the end of a submaximal bout of cycling depends on the preset target
cadence applied initially.