Effect of cycling shoe cleat position on biomechanical and physiological responses during cycling and subsequent running parts of a simulated Sprint triathlon: a pilot study
Résumé
Proper cycling cleat adjustment could improve triathlon performance. Recommendations have included positioning the first metatarsal head above the pedal spindle or slightly forward, but mid-foot cleat positions could be more appropriate in triathlon at constant load due to their impact on the subsequent running performance. We evaluated the impact of antero-posterior cleat position on biomechanical and physiological variables during the cycling and running parts of a simulated Sprint triathlon. Seven participants performed two 32-min cycling tests including 8 sets of 3 min 30 s intervals performed at just below the power output at the first ventilatory threshold interspersed with 30 s sprints at > 100% of the maximal aerobic power. The cycling exercises were immediately followed by a maximal running performance of 20 min. The tests were performed with a 5-mm posterior (PCP) and a 5-mm anterior (ACP) first metatarsal cleat position. The PCP decreased the energy cost of running (-5.9%; p = 0.04; effect size [ES] = 0.37) despite no significant change in cycling power output (p = 0.17; ES = 0.40) and running speed (p = 0.89; ES = 0.04). In addition, the PCP resulted in a lower recruitment of soleus during sub-maximal cycling intensity (-7.0%; p = 0.04; ES = 0.88) and of gastrocnemius medialis during the running part of the test (-25%; p = 0.04; ES = 1.05). Therefore, the PCP could be more suitable in triathlon by being more economical for subsequent running, due to a lower recruitment of calf-muscles during the sub-maximal cycling and the running part.
Fichier principal
Millour 2020 JSC Effect of cycling shoe cleat position on biomechanical and physiological responses during cycling and subsequent running parts of a simulated Sprint triathlon.pdf (558.67 Ko)
Télécharger le fichier
Origine : Fichiers éditeurs autorisés sur une archive ouverte