Muscle forces and powers during sprint cycling at optimal cadence

Worsey, Matthew T. O.; Crossley, Claire B.; Wackwitz, Thomas; Collings, Tyler; Bourne, Matthew N.; Pizzolato, Claudio

Affiliations

¹Australian Centre for Precision Health and Technology (PRECISE), Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland 4215, Australia

²School of Allied Health, Sport and Social Work, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland 4215, Australia

Abstract and keywords

This study describes lower limb musculotendon unit (MTU) forces and powers during sprint cycling. Seven participants (2 female) performed maximal effort cycling at optimal cadence. Three-dimensional motion capture, pedal forces, and surface electromyography (EMG) data were input into participant-calibrated EMG-informed neuromusculoskeletal models to evaluate forces and powers produced by 18 lower-limb MTUs. In the pushing phase (10° − 170°, relative to the right crank at top dead centre), the hip adductor group generated the highest average force (1623.78 ± 980.62 N) and the vastus lateralis generated the highest average positive power (193.11 ± 153.07 W). In the pulling phase (170°-350°), the hip adductor group generated the highest average force (1140.48 ± 482.57 N) and average power (60.47 ± 68.87 W). In the transition phase (350°-10°), the vastus lateralis generated the highest average force (1432.26 ± 1169.40 N) and average power (76.98 ± 71.84 W). MTU power crank cycle-profiles were generated for each participant, highlighting differences in patterns of MTU power generation. Future work is needed to determine if targeted training based on cyclist-specific MTU force and power model outputs would lead to improved sprint cycling performance.

Keywords: Neuromusculoskeletal modelling; Sprint cycling; MTU force; MTU power

Links

DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2025.112890

PubMed: 40848391

WoS: 001565992100001

History

Revised: 2025-08-4

Accepted: 2025-08-4

Online: 2025-08-10

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