RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GEAR RATIO AND 10-S SPRINT CYCLING ON AN AIR-BRAKED ERGOMETER

This investigation examined the relationship between gear ratio and pe ak and mean power outputs (PPO and MPO) and peak cadence (PC) during a 10-s all-out sprint on a multi-geared air-braked cycle ergometer. Ten physically active men [mean age 21.0 years (SEM 0.7)] performed in ra ndom order six 10-s sprints (15-min rest between each sprint) on two o ccasions (48 h apart) in six different gear ratios; flywheel revolutio ns per pedal crank revolution (FR/PCR) ranged between 5.22 and 11.61. The PPO, MPO, and PC were recorded from each sprint. Of the six gear r atios tested, a gear ratio eliciting 8.87 FR/PCR elicited the highest PPO for the initial test session; the PPO output of 1274 W was signifi cantly greater (P < 0.01) than that produced in the other five gears. Analysis of data from the second test session revealed no statisticall y significant difference in PPO between gear ratios eliciting 8.00, 8. 87, and 10.06 FR/PCR. The PPO from these three ratios were significant ly greater (P < 0.05) than those produced using the ratios resulting i n 6.32, 7.06, and 10.78 FR/PCR. The PC in the gear ratio maximising PP O was 120 rpm. Analysis of PC data revealed a significant decrease(P < 0.05) as the number of FR/PCR increased.