PowercranksTM are a device that enables the user to cycle with each leg acting independently of the other. This type of cycling forces the rider to actively pull up with the hip and knee flexors throughout the recovery phase of the pedaling cycle. While the metabolic benefits of training with PowercranksTM are known, no research has investigated what, if any, strength benefits result from training. The purpose of this study was to examine how strength, submaximal oxygen consumption, hear rate, gross efficiency, and muscle activation were affected by 6 weeks of PowercranksTM training, compared to a traditional cycling training. A total of 1 1 recreationally trained adult subjects (5 males, 6 females) were randomly placed into either the PowercranksTM group (PC) or regular cranks (RC) group. Subjects trained 3 days per week following a progressive interval protocol for 6 weeks. Prior to and following training, subjects were measured for peak isokinetic knee and hip flexion/extension strength, timing of muscular contractions, and submaximal VO2, heart rate, and gross efficiency. A MANOVA for strength values pre-post were not significant. However, large effect sizes implied that there were increases in knee and hip flexion for the PC group (d =1.00,1.63, respectively). Heart rate was found to be significant at all 4 time points (p = 0.001, 0.011, 0.001, 0.000 for time points 1-4, respectively). MANOVAs for VO2 and GE did not yield significant results. Muscular timing was also unchanged as a result of training. While the PowercranksTM did not have an effect on VO2 and GE in untrained subjects, HR decreased, suggesting an aerobic benefit. The possible strength benefits in untrained subjects resulting from PowercrankTM training could prove beneficial for individuals looking to recover from injury. / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on September 29, 2008) Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.SC. )--Edith Cowan University, 2008. / Submitted to the Faculty of Computing, Health and Science. Includes bibliographical references.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2011. / Background: As Kinesio® tape may increase range of motion, facilitate muscle function, enhance circulation, and normalize muscle length/tension ratios creating optimal force, use of this athletic tape has gained popularity in various sporting disciplines. Cycling is a highly competitive sport that continually seeks ways of improving performance. There are, however, no controlled, published studies examining the effects of Kinesio® tape on a cyclist‟s performance. Objectives: To determine the participants‟ power output, bicycle speed, and cadence, quadriceps length/tension, and hip and knee flexion and extension range of motion in terms of the objective findings without the use of Kinesio® tape and then following the application of Kinesio® tape to the quadriceps muscles. To determine the participants‟ perception of a change in their power output, speed, and cadence post- intervention. Method: Forty asymptomatic trained amateur cyclists performed two 1.5 km time trials pre- and post- Kinesio® tape application. The pre- and post- intervention range of motion measurements and the average and maximum power output (watts), cadence (rpm), and speed (km/h) were measured using a universal goniometer and cycle ergometer respectively. The participants‟ perception of a change in power, cadence, and speed following the application of Kinesio® tape was also recorded. SPSS version 18 (SPSS Inc.) was used to analyse the data. Results: There was a significant decrease in maximum power (p = 0.007) post- intervention, but no significant differences in the average power, or average and maximum speed and cadence measurements. Range of motion measurements post- intervention showed a significant flexion (p < 0.021). The majority of the participants (60%) perceived an increase in power and speed post- intervention. Conclusions: There was a visual trend showing an increase in most of the power, speed, and cadence parameters assessed. The range of motion parameters revealed conflicting results and warrant further research

No description available.

Thesis (M. P. A.)--Texas State University-San Marcos, 2008. / "Fall 2008." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-85).

Thesis (M.A.)--San Francisco State University, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 36-40).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 94-96)

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 94-96). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Background: Exercise associated muscle cramping (EAMC) is a common medical condition encountered by endurance athletes, yet information regarding EAMC in cyclists in lacking. Aim of the study: To determine the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and independent risk factors associated with EAMC in cyclists participating in a mass participation cycling event. Design: Cross-sectional study Setting: 2016 Cape Town Cycle Tour (CTCT), South Africa Participants: 22560 consenting cycle race entrants Methods: Epidemiological data (lifetime prevalence and annual incidence) and clinical characteristics (main muscle groups affected, timing of onset, severity [mild - severe] and frequency of serious forms of EAMC [sEAMC]) in cyclists with a history of EAMC (hEAMC) are reported on. A multiple regression analysis was applied in order to determine if the following factors were associated risk factors for EAMC in cyclists with a hEAMC: chronic disease composite score, cycling training / racing history (years of recreational cycling, years of participation in distance cycling events > 2 hours, average number of training sessions per week, average weekly cycling distance in the last 12 months, and average training speed), history of chronic disease (history of cardiovascular disease [CVD], risk factors for CVD, symptoms of CVD, metabolic/hormonal disease, respiratory disease, gastrointestinal disease, nervous system/psychiatric disease, kidney/bladder disease, haematological/immune system disease, and cancer) and allergies, and history of cycling injuries. Results: A total of 35914 cyclists entered the race, 27349 completed the online pre-race medical screening questionnaire, and 22560 gave informed consent for the use of their data in this study (62.82% of all race entrants). The lifetime prevalence of EAMC was 30.6%, with an annual incidence of 18.7%. The quadriceps muscle group was the most commonly affected muscle group (47.7%), the most common time period for the onset of EAMC was during the fourth quarter of the race (63.0%), and mild (less than 5 minutes) EAMC occurred more frequently (67.0%) than other forms of EAMC. Serious EAMC was reported by 5.6% of the study population, and included whole body EAMC (3.2%) and EAMC associated with dark urine (2.2%). Novel independent risk factors associated with an increased risk of hEAMC in cyclists were: a higher chronic disease composite score (PR=1.34 per 2 unit increase; p<0.0001), a history of any allergies (PR=1.17; p<0.0001), a history of an acute onset injury (PR=1.31; p<0.0001), a history of a gradual onset injury (PR=1.29; p<0.0001), and increased number of years participating in cycling events of > 2 hours (PR=1.34 per 2 unit increase, p<0.0001). Increased number of years as a recreational cyclist (PR=0.96 per 5 unit increase, p=0.0012) and increased average weekly training/racing frequency in the last 12 months (PR=0.95 per 2 unit increase, p=0.0015) were associated with a decreased risk of EAMC. From the univariate analysis, we identified a significantly higher prevalence of lifetime hEAMC in male cyclists (PR=2.16; p<0.0001), and a higher prevalence of hEAMC in the ≥51-year age category (37.6%). Conclusion: One in three cyclists report a lifetime hEAMC. In cyclists with a hEAMC, the quadriceps muscle group is the most commonly affected muscle group, EAMC commonly occurs in the last quarter of the race, most EAMC cases are reported as mild, and sEAMC is not common. The results from this study could influence the future prevention and management programmes of EAMC in recreational cyclists, and assist medical personnel in the planning and implementation of medical care at mass participation cycling events. A higher chronic disease composite score, a history of allergies, a history of injury (acute onset or gradual onset) and training / racing variables are novel independent risk factors associated with a hEAMC in cyclists taking part in a mass participation cycling event. Risk factors for EAMC need to be taken into consideration when implementing prevention and management programmes of EAMC in cyclists. Clinicians should also consider that in some cases, EAMC may be associated with underlying chronic diseases or allergies, and/or the medications used to treat such conditions. In addition, injury history and training variables need to be considered in the prevention and management of EAMC in cyclists. Keywords: muscle cramping, exercise associated muscle cramping, EAMC, cyclists, clinical characteristics, epidemiology, risk factors, chronic disease / Dissertation (MPhysiotherapy)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Physiotherapy / MPhysiotherapy / Restricted