Time course of learning to produce maximum cycling power

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the time course and magn itude of learning effects associated with repeated maximum cycling power te sts and to determine if cycle-trained men exhibit different learning effect s than active men who are not cycle-trained. Cycle-trained (N = 13) and act ive men (N = 35) performed short maximal cycling bouts 4 times per day for 4 consecutive days. Inertial load cycle ergometry was used to measure maxim um power and pedaling rate at maximum power. Maximum power of the cycle-tra ined men did not differ across days or bouts. Maximum power of the active m en increased 7% within the first day and 7% from the mean of day one to day three. Pedaling rate at maximum power did not differ across days or bouts in either the cycle-trained or active men. These results demonstrate that v alid and reliable results for maximum cycling power can be obtained from cy cle-trained men in a single day, whereas active men require at least 2 days of practice in order to produce valid and reliable values.