VALIDATION OF A MATHEMATICAL-MODEL FOR ROAD CYCLING POWER

This investigation sought to determine if cycling power could be accur ately modeled, A mathematical model of cycling power was derived, and values for each model parameter were determined. A bicycle-mounted pow er measurement system was validated by comparison with a laboratory er gometer. Power was measured during road cycling, and the measured valu es were compared with the values predicted by the model. The measured values Tor power were highly correlated (R-2 = .97) with, and were not different than, the modeled values. The standard error between the mo deled and measured power (2.7 W) was very small. The model was also us ed to estimate the effects of changes in several model parameters on c ycling velocity. Over the range of parameter values evaluated, velocit y varied linearly (R-2 > .99). Thr results demonstrated that cycling p ower can be accurately predicted by a mathematical model.