Effect of pedalling rates on physiological response during endurance cycling

This study was undertaken to examine the effect of different pedalling cadences upon various physiological responses during endurance cycling exercise. Eight well-trained triathletes cycled three times for 30 min each at an intensity corresponding to 80% of their maximal aerobic power output. The first test was performed at a freely chosen cadence (FCC); two others at FCC - 20% and FCC + 20%, which corresponded approximately to the range of cadences habitually used by road racing cyclists. The mean (SD) FCC, FCC - 20% and FCC + 20% were equal to 86 (4), 69 (3) and 103 (5) rpm respectively. Heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (VO2), minute ventilation (VE) and respiratory exchange ratio (R) were analysed during three periods: between the 4th and 5th, 14th and 15th, and 29th and 30th min. A significant effect of time (P < 0.01) was found at the three cadences for HR, VO2. The VE and R were significantly (P < 0.05) greater at FCC + 20% compared to FCC - 20% at the 5th and 15th min but not at the 30th min. Nevertheless, no significant effect of cadence was observed in HR and VO2. These results suggest that, during high intensity exercise such as that encountered during a time-trial race, well-trained triathletes can easily adapt to the changes in cadence allowed by the classical gear ratios used in practice.     

Influence of cycling cadence on neuromuscular activity of the knee extensors in humans

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of pedalling rate and power output in cycling on the neuromuscular activity of the knee extensor muscles. Ten subjects took part in 15 randomised trials, which consisted of three levels of power outputs (60%, 80% and 100% maximal aerobic power) and five cadences (70%, 85%, 100%, 115% and 130% of the freely chosen cadence, FCC). Root mean square (rms) was utilized to quantify electromyographic activity of the vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM) and rectus femoris (RF) muscles. The mean (SD) FCC did not change with power output, ranging from 85.0 (11.9) to 88.0 (11.1) rpm. A significant power effect (P<0.01) for the rms of VL, VM and RF muscles was observed. Results showed no significant cadence effect on neuromuscular activity of the VL and VM muscles, while the rms of the RF muscle was significantly greater (P<0.05) at 70% FCC when compared to other cadences. In conclusion, the neuromuscular activity of the knee extensor muscles was not significantly influenced by cadence manipulations. Thus, minimisation of the neuromuscular activity of these muscles would not seem to lead to the choice of a cadence in cycling. Electronic Publication     

The energetically optimal cadence decreases after prolonged cycling exercise

This study investigated the change in the energetically optimal cadence after prolonged cycling. The energetically optimal cadence (EOC) was determined in 14 experienced cyclists by pulmonary gas exchange at six different cadences (100–50 rpm at 10 rpm intervals). The determination of the EOC was repeated after a prolonged cycling exercise of 55 min duration, where cadence was fixed either at high (>95 rpm) or low (<55 rpm) pedalling rates. The EOC decreased after prolonged cycling exercise at a high as well as at a low fixed cadence (P < 0.01). According to the generalized muscle equations of Hill, this indicates that most likely more type I muscle fibres contribute to muscular power output after fatiguing cycling exercise compared to cycling in the beginning of an exercise bout. We suggest that the determination of EOC might be a potential non-invasive method to detect the qualitative changes in activated muscle fibres, which needs further investigation.     

Cadence and performance in elite cyclists

Many studies have attempted to describe the optimal cadence in cycling. However, the effect on performance has received little attention. The aim of the present study was therefore to examine the effect of cadence on performance during prolonged cycling (~30 min). Fourteen male elite cyclists performed two or five time trials at different cadences [60, 80, 100, 120 rpm or freely chosen cadence (FCC)]. The total work was the same between the time trials, and the subjects were instructed to complete each time trial as fast as possible by adjusting the workload with buttons mounted on the handlebar. Accumulated work and cadence was visualised on a monitor. Oxygen uptake was measured continuously and blood lactate concentration every fifth minute. Compared to 80 rpm, finishing times at 60, 100 and 120 rpm were 3.5, 1.7 and 10.2% slower (P<0.05). Finishing time at FCC (mean 90 rpm) was indistinguishable from 80 and 100 rpm. Gross efficiency at 80 rpm was 2.9, 2.3, 3.4 and 12.3% larger than at 60, FCC, 100 and 120 rpm, respectively (P<0.05). The maximal energy turnover rate was 1.7% higher at 100 than at 80 rpm (P<0.05). This could not, however, compensate for the 3.4% lower efficiency at 100 rpm. This study demonstrated that elite cyclists perform best at their most efficient cadence despite the maximal energy turnover rate being larger at a higher cadence.     

Electromyography in cycling: difference between clipless pedal and toe clip pedal.

The purpose of this study was to verify if there is electromyographic difference in biceps femoris (long portion), semitendinous, semimembranous and gastrocnemius (lateralis and medialis) muscles, using clipless pedal and toe clip pedal. Thirty seven triathletes answered a questionnaire about their preferred type of pedal, which showed that 5.4% used toe clip pedal and 94.6% used clipless pedal. Four male triathletes (age: 21.75 +/- 2.50 years old; cycling experience: 5.00 +/- 2.45 years; preferred cadence: 83.75 +/- 7.5 rpm) rode their own bicycles on a stationary roller at 100 rpm. The subjects performed one trial with each type of pedal. Bipolar surface electrodes placed on right lower limb picked up the EMG signal during 6 s. A band-pass filter (10-600 Hz) was used. Two muscles (semitendinous and semimembranous) presented lower activity with clipless pedal for all subjects. Biceps femoris and gastrocnemius lateralis presented lower activity with clipless pedal for three subjects. This led us to conclude that there is less electromyographic activity with the use of clipless pedal.     

Freely chosen pedal rate during free cycling on a roller and ergometer cycling

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of regulation of work rate, computer controlled versus controlled by the subject, on the relationship between work rate, freely chosen pedal rate (FCC) and gross efficiency. Eighteen male cyclists participated in the study. One group, freely cycling (FC) on a competition bike mounted on an electromagnetic roller, could use gearing and cadence to achieve each work rate. The other group (EC) was cycling on an ergometer which enables a constant work rate, independent of cadence. Subjects performed an increasing work rate protocol from 100 W up to exhaustion. We found a strong interaction between group and work rate on cadence (P < 0.001). In the FC group, work rate affected cadence (P < 0.001), increasing from 72 rpm at 100 W to 106 rpm at 350 W. For the EC group, no work rate effect was present (average FCC 92 rpm). Gross efficiency increased with work rate for both groups. The efficiency–cadence relationship was strongly affected by the protocol. At a given work rate, very similar efficiency values were obtained at highly different cadences. The discrepancy in the FCC-work rate relationship between the EC group and the FC group may be related to the manner in which one can regulate work rate. FCC depends not only on work rate but is also affected considerably by the manner in which the work rate can be controlled by cadence. This finding may have important implications for the interpretation of the preferred pedaling rate, especially how this is related to optimizing metabolic cost.     

Leg muscle recruitment during cycling is less developed in triathletes than cyclists despite matched cycling training loads

Studies of arm movements suggest that interference with motor learning occurs when multiple tasks are practiced in sequence or with short interim periods. However, interference with learning has only been studied during training periods of 1–7 days and it is not known if interference with learning continues during long-term multitask training. This study investigated muscle recruitment in highly trained triathletes, who swim, cycle and run sequentially during training and competition. Comparisons were made to highly trained and novice cyclists, i.e. between trained multidiscipline, trained single-discipline and novice single-discipline athletes, to investigate adaptations of muscle recruitment that occur in response to ongoing multitask, or multidiscipline, training. Electromyographic (EMG) activity of five leg muscles, tibialis anterior, tibialis posterior, peroneus longus, gastrocnemius lateralis and soleus muscles, was recorded during cycling using intramuscular fine-wire electrodes. Differences were found between trained triathletes and trained cyclists in recruitment of all muscles, and patterns of muscle recruitment in trained triathletes were similar to those recorded in novice cyclists. More specifically, triathletes and novice cyclists were characterised by greater sample variance (i.e. greater variation between athletes), greater variation in muscle recruitment patterns between pedal strokes for individual cyclists, more extensive and more variable muscle coactivation, and less modulation of muscle activity (i.e. greater EMG amplitude between primary EMG bursts). In addition, modulation of muscle activity decreased with increasing cadence (i.e. the amplitude and duration of muscle activity was greater at higher movement speeds) in both triathletes and novice cyclists but modulation of muscle activity was not influenced by cadence in trained cyclists. Our findings imply that control of muscle recruitment is less developed in triathletes than in cyclists matched for cycling training loads, which suggests that multidiscipline training may interfere with adaptation of the neuromuscular system to cycling training in triathletes.     

Neuromuscular function during prolonged pedalling exercise at different cadences

AIM: The purpose of the present work was to assess the strategies set by the central nervous system in order to provide the power output required throughout a prolonged (1-h) pedalling exercise performed at different cadences (50 rpm, 110 rpm and the freely chosen cadence). METHODS: Neuromuscular (NM) activity of vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, biceps femoris and gastrocnemius lateralis muscles was studied quantitatively [root-mean square (RMS) and mean power frequency (MPF)] and qualitatively (timing of onset and offset of muscle bursts during crank cycle). RESULTS: The present results showed that increased cadence resulted in earlier muscle activation in crank cycle. The influence of cadence on RMS and MPF depended on the considered muscle and its functional role during pedalling. Timing of onset and offset of muscle bursts was not altered by fatigue throughout the prolonged exercise. In contrast, RMS and MPF of some muscles was found to increase during prolonged exercise. CONCLUSION: In summary, the present study revealed that tonic aspects of the NM activity (RMS, MPF) are altered during prolonged pedalling exercise, while phasic aspects are remained unchanged. These results suggest that the strategies set by the central nervous system in order to provide the power output required by the exercise are held constant throughout the exercise, but that quantitative aspects of the central drive are increased in order to adapt to the progressive occurrence of the NM fatigue.     

The role of the slope of oxygen consumption and EMG activity on freely chosen pedal rate selection

The objective of this study was to verify the following hypothesis: the pedal rate that minimizes root mean square (RMS) slope and the slow component amplitude of oxygen consumption could be close to the freely chosen pedal rate (FCPR) used by well-trained cyclists. Nine male competitive cyclists performed a 21 min submaximal exercise on a cycle ergometer at a workload of 65% of their respective peak aerobic power. For each session, the subject's pedal rate was freely chosen or assigned to 60, 75, 90 or 105 rev min(-1). When pedal rates were imposed, the electromyographic root mean square slope, the oxygen uptake during the third minute and the 20th min, and the slow component amplitude of oxygen consumption were used in the analysis. In order to determine the optimal pedal rate (OPR), a quadratic function was fitted to the data by regression, for each variable measured. The mean values of OPR relative to oxygen uptake during the third min (71+/-9 rev min(-1)) were lower than the mean values of the OPR relative to the slow component amplitude of oxygen consumption (82+/-8 rev min(-1)), the electromyographic root mean square slope (80+/-7 rev min(-1)) and freely chosen pedal rate (86+/-13 rev min(-1)). Freely chosen pedal rate was not significantly different from the OPR in reference to the amplitude of the slow component of oxygen consumption, electromyographic root mean square slope, and oxygen uptake during the 20th min. OPR for RMS slope was correlated (R=0.72) to FCPR. Expert cyclists were likely to use a spontaneous pedal rate that minimizes neuromuscular fatigue.     

Factors associated with the selection of the freely chosen cadence in non-cyclists

The purpose of this study was to examine both the freely chosen cadence (FCC) and the physical variables associated with cadence selection in non-cyclists. Eighteen participants pedalled at 40, 50, and 60% of their maximal power output (determined by a maximal oxygen uptake test, W _max), whilst cadence (50, 65, 80, 95, 110 rpm, and FCC) was manipulated. Gross efficiency, was used to analyse the most economical cadence whilst central and peripheral ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were used to measure the most comfortable cadence and the cadence whereby muscle strain was minimised. Peak (T _peak), mean crank torque (T _mean) and the crank torque profile were analysed at 150 and 200 W at cadences of 50, 65, 80, 95, and 110 rpm in order to determine the mechanical load. FCC was found to be approximately 80 rpm at all workloads and was significantly higher than the most economical cadence (50 rpm). At 60% W _max, RPE peripheral was minimised at 80 rpm which coincided with the FCC. Both T _peak and T _mean decreased as cadence increased and, conversely, increased as power output increased. An analysis of the crank torque profile showed that the crank angle at both the top (DP_top) and the bottom (DP_bot) dead point of the crank cycle at 80 rpm occurred later in the cycling revolution when compared to 50 rpm. The findings suggested that the FCC in non-cyclists was more closely related to variables that minimise muscle strain and mechanical load than those associated with minimising metabolic economy.     

Dynamics of Revolution Time Variability in Cycling Pattern: Voluntary Intent Can Alter the Long-Range Autocorrelations

Long-range dependency has been found in most rhythmic motor signals. The origin of this property is unknown and largely debated. There is a controversy on the influence of voluntary control induced by requiring a pre-determined pace such as asking subjects to step to a metronome. We studied the cycle duration variability of 15 men pedaling on an ergometer at free pace and at an imposed pace (60 rpm). Revolution time was determined based on accelerometer signals (sample frequency 512 Hz). Revolution time variability was assessed by coefficient of variation (CV). The presence of long-range autocorrelations was based on scaling properties of the series variability (Hurst exponent) and the shape of the power spectral density (α exponent). Mean revolution time was significantly lower at freely chosen cadence, while values of CV were similar between both sessions. Long-range autocorrelations were highlighted in all series of cycling patterns. However, Hurst and α exponents were significantly lower at imposed cadence. This study demonstrates the presence of long-range autocorrelations during cycling and that voluntary intent can modulate the interdependency between consecutive cycles. Therefore, cycling may constitute a powerful paradigm to investigate the influence of central control mechanisms on the long-range interdependency characterizing rhythmic motor tasks.     

Effects of swimming with a wet suit on energy expenditure during subsequent cycling.]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of swimming with a wetsuit on energy expenditure during subsequent cycling. Nine well-trained triathletes underwent three submaximal trials. The first trial (SC) consisted of a 750-m swim realised at a competition pace, followed by a 10-min cycling exercise at a power output corresponding to the ventilatory threshold . The two other trials were composed of the same cycling exercise, preceded either by a 750-m swim with a wetsuit (WSC) or by a cycling warm-up (Ctrl). The main results are that the WSC trial was characterised by significantly lower swimming cadence (-14%), heart rate (-11%), and lactate values (-47%) compared to the SC trial, p < 0.05. Moreover, cycling efficiency was significantly higher in the WSC trial compared to the SC trial (12.1% difference, p < 0.05). The lower relative intensity observed during swimming with a wetsuit suggest the relative importance of swimming condition on the total performance in a sprint triathlon.     

Fatigue and optimal conditions for short-term work capacity

There is an optimal load and corresponding velocity at which peak power output occurs. It is reasonable to expect that these conditions will change as a result of fatigue during 30 s of all-out cycling. This study evaluated optimal velocity after 30 s of maximal isokinetic cycle ergometer exercise and tested the hypothesis that progressive adjustment of velocity (optimized) during 30 s of all-out cycling would permit greater short-term work capacity (STWC). Non-fatigued optimal cadence [NF_OC, 109.6 (2.5) rpm] was determined for ten males on an SRM ergometer using regression analysis of the torque–angular velocity relation during a 7-s maximal acceleration. Fatigued optimal cadence [73.4 (2.4) rpm] was determined in the same way, immediately after a 30-s isokinetic test at NF_OC. A subsequent trial with cadence decreasing in steps from NF_OC to a conservative estimate of fatigued optimal cadence [83.9 (2.8) rpm] was completed to see if more work could be done with a more optimal cadence during the test. STWC was not different (P=0.50) between the constant [23,681 (764) J] and optimized [23,679 (708) J] conditions. Another more radical progressive change in cadence with four subjects yielded the same result (no increase in STWC). Extraneous factors apparently contribute more to variability in STWC than differences between constant and adjusted optimization of conditions.     

Constant versus variable-intensity during cycling: effects on subsequent running performance

The aim of this study was to investigate the metabolic responses to variable versus constant-intensity (CI) during 20-km cycling on subsequent 5-km running performance. Ten triathletes, not only completed one incremental cycling test to determine maximal oxygen uptake and maximal aerobic power (MAP), but also three various cycle-run (C–R) combinations conducted in outdoor conditions. During the C–R sessions, subjects performed first a 20-km cycle-time trial with a freely chosen intensity (FCI, ∼80% MAP) followed by a 5-km run performance. Subsequently, triathletes were required to perform in a random order, two C–R sessions including either a CI, corresponding to the mean power of FCI ride, or a variable-intensity (VI) during cycling with power changes ranging from 68 to 92% MAP, followed immediately by a 5-km run. Metabolic responses and performances were measured during the C–R sessions. Running performance was significantly improved after CI ride (1118 ± 72 s) compared to those after FCI ride (1134 ± 64 s) or VI ride (1168 ± 73 s) despite similar metabolic responses and performances reported during the three cycling bouts. Moreover, metabolic variables were not significantly different between the run sessions in our triathletes. Given the lack of significant differences in metabolic responses between the C–R sessions, the improvement in running time after FCI and CI rides compared to VI ride suggests that other mechanisms, such as changes in neuromuscular activity of peripheral skeletal muscle or muscle fatigue, probably contribute to the influence of power output variation on subsequent running performance.     

Comparison of stimulation patterns for FES-cycling using measures of oxygen cost and stimulation cost

AIM: The energy efficiency of FES-cycling in spinal cord injured subjects is very much lower than that of normal cycling, and efficiency is dependent upon the parameters of muscle stimulation. We investigated measures which can be used to evaluate the effect on cycling performance of changes in stimulation parameters, and which might therefore be used to optimise them. We aimed to determine whether oxygen cost and stimulation cost measurements are sensitive enough to allow discrimination between the efficacy of different activation ranges for stimulation of each muscle group during constant-power cycling. METHODS: We employed a custom FES-cycling ergometer system, with accurate control of cadence and stimulated exercise workrate. Two sets of muscle activation angles ("stimulation patterns"), denoted "P1" and "P2", were applied repeatedly (eight times each) during constant-power cycling, in a repeated measures design with a single paraplegic subject. Pulmonary oxygen uptake was measured in real time and used to determine the oxygen cost of the exercise. A new measure of stimulation cost of the exercise is proposed, which represents the total rate of stimulation charge applied to the stimulated muscle groups during cycling. A number of energy-efficiency measures were also estimated. RESULTS: Average oxygen cost and stimulation cost of P1 were found to be significantly lower than those for P2 (paired t-test, p<0.05): oxygen costs were 0.56+/-0.03l min-1 and 0.61+/-0.04l min-1 (mean+/-S.D.), respectively; stimulation costs were 74.91+/-12.15 mC min-1 and 100.30+/-14.78 mC min-1 (mean+/-S.D.), respectively. Correspondingly, all efficiency estimates for P1 were greater than those for P2. CONCLUSION: Oxygen cost and stimulation cost measures both allow discrimination between the efficacy of different muscle activation patterns during constant-power FES-cycling. However, stimulation cost is more easily determined in real time, and responds more rapidly and with greatly improved signal-to-noise properties than the ventilatory oxygen uptake measurements required for estimation of oxygen cost. These measures may find utility in the adjustment of stimulation patterns for achievement of optimal cycling performance.     

Interactions between cadence and power output effects on mechanical efficiency during sub maximal cycling exercises

The purpose of this study was to investigate the interactions between cadence and power output effects on cycling efficiency. Fourteen healthy subjects performed four constant power output-tests (40, 80, 120 and 160 W) in which the cadence varied in five bouts from 40 to 120 rpm. Gross efficiency (GE) was determined over the last ten respiratory cycles of each bout and was calculated as the ratio of mechanical energy to energy expenditure. Results showed that (1) GE-cadence relationships reached a maximum at each power output corresponding to the cadence maximising efficiency (CA_eff) and (2) GE increased with power output whatever the cadence until a maximal theoretical value. Moreover, interactions were found between these two factors: the cadence effect decreased linearly with power output and the power output effect increased exponentially with cadence. Consequently, cycling efficiency decreased more when cadence differed from CA_eff at low than at high power output, and increased more with power output at high cadence than at low cadence. These interactions between cadence and power output effects on GE were mainly due to cadence and power output effects on the energy expenditure shares not contributing to power production.An erratum to this article can be found at     

Comparison of cardio-locomotor synchronization during running and cycling

By comparing the characteristics of cardiac-locomotor synchronization (CLS) in running and cycling individuals, we tested whether the characteristics of CLS occurring during rhythmic exercise adhere to the central origin hypothesis, which postulates a direct interaction between cardiovascular centers in the brain and the pattern generator in the spinal cord. Ten healthy subjects performed both exercises at the same intensity (150 beats·min⁻¹) and cadence (150 steps·min⁻¹ during running and 75 rpm during cycling), while electrocardiograms and electromyograms from the right vastus lateralis muscle were monitored continuously. An examination of the occurrence of heart beats with respect to the locomotor phase revealed that, in running subjects, CLS exists for relatively prolonged periods at specific phases, whereas, in cycling subjects, it occurs intermittently and is not phase-specific [maximum duration of CLS: 113.6 (66.5) and 58.0 (29.3) s (P<0.05), respectively]. Determining the probability of CLS by chance as a function of its duration, we also found that, during running, CLS likely results from entrainment, whereas, during cycling, it results from chance, occurring when the cardiac rhythm approached the locomotor rhythm. Our result indicated that the duration of muscle contraction during cycling [317.0 (18.1) ms] was significantly longer than during running [205.6 (20.2) ms]. These results indicated that the difference in the CLS characteristics between running and cycling might be influenced by differences in peripheral inputs between exercise modes. Electronic Publication     

Robustness of a 3 min all-out cycling test to manipulations of power profile and cadence in humans

The purpose of this study was to assess whether end-test power output (EP, synonymous with 'critical power') and the work done above EP (WEP) during a 3 min all-out cycling test against a fixed resistance were affected by the manipulation of cadence or pacing. Nine subjects performed a ramp test followed, in random order, by three cadence trials (in which flywheel resistance was manipulated to achieve end-test cadences which varied by approximately 20 r.p.m.) and two pacing trials (30 s at 100 or 130% of maximal ramp test power, followed by 2.5 min all-out effort against standard resistance). End-test power output was calculated as the mean power output over the final 30 s and the WEP as the power-time integral over 180 s for each trial. End-test power output was unaffected by reducing cadence below that of the 'standard test' but was reduced by approximately 10 W on the adoption of a higher cadence [244 +/- 41 W for high cadence (at an end-test cadence of 95 +/- 7 r.p.m.), 254 +/- 40 W for the standard test (at 88 +/- 6 r.p.m.) and 251 +/- 38 W for low cadence (at 77 +/- 5 r.p.m.)]. Pacing over the initial 30 s of the test had no effect on the EP or WEP estimates in comparison with the standard trial. The WEP was significantly higher in the low cadence trial (16.2 +/- 4.4 kJ) and lower in the high cadence trial (12.9 +/- 3.6 kJ) than in the standard test (14.2 +/- 3.7 kJ). Thus, EP is robust to the manipulation of power profile but is reduced by adopting cadences higher than 'standard'. While the WEP is robust to initial pacing applied, it is sensitive to even relatively minor changes in cadence.     

Posture control after prolonged exercise

The perturbations of equilibrium after prolonged exercise were investigated by dynamic posturography on nine well-trained subjects (four athletes and five triathletes). A sensory organization test, where the platform and visual surround were either stable or referenced to the subject's sway with eyes open or closed, was performed before and after a 25-km run (average time 1h 44 min) by the nine subjects. In addition, the same test was performed on the five triathletes only, before and after ergocycle exercise of identical duration (i.e. ergocycle time = running time). The results showed that the ability to maintain postural stability during conflicting sensory conditions decreased after exercise, with some differences depending on the kind of exercise. Sensory analysis revealed that the subjects made less effective use of vestibular inputs after running than after cycling (P?相似文献   

The relationship between cadence,pedalling technique and gross efficiency in cycling

Technique and energy saving are two variables often considered as important for performance in cycling and related to each other. Theoretically, excellent pedalling technique should give high gross efficiency (GE). The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between pedalling technique and GE. 10 well-trained cyclists were measured for GE, force effectiveness (FE) and dead centre size (DC) at a work rate corresponding to ~75% of VO₂max during level and inclined cycling, seat adjusted forward and backward, at three different cadences around their own freely chosen cadence (FCC) on an ergometer. Within subjects, FE, DC and GE decreased as cadence increased (p < 0.001). A strong relationship between FE and GE was found, which was to great extent explained by FCC. The relationship between cadence and both FE and GE, within and between subjects, was very similar, irrespective of FCC. There was no difference between level and inclined cycling position. The seat adjustments did not affect FE, DC and GE or the relationship between them. Energy expenditure is strongly coupled to cadence, but force effectiveness, as a measure for pedalling technique, is not likely the cause of this relationship. FE, DC and GE are not affected by body orientation or seat adjustments, indicating that these parameters and the relationship between them are robust to coordinative challenges within a range of cadence, body orientation and seat position that is used in regular cycling.