The Effect of Power Training on Cycling Performance in Beginners
Rawung, Nathaniel Kenneth (2025)
2025
All rights reserved. This publication is copyrighted. You may download, display and print it for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052716631
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052716631
Tiivistelmä
The purpose of this research was to find the effect of power training on beginners’ cycling performance. Strength training combined with cycling training has been shown to increase cycling performance in elite cyclists. However, no study has focused on the effect of concurrent power training on cycling performance. Therefore, the objective of this research was to investigate the effects of power training on cycling performance in beginners.
Seventeen participants were divided into a cycling-only training group (C, n = 8) and a concurrent training group (SC, n = 9). The research was conducted over eight weeks. The training program consisted of two cycling sessions per week for both groups, and two additional power sessions per week for SC. Cycling training included one high-intensity session to improve VO2max and sprint effort, and one lower-intensity session for recovery and endurance. Power training involved one maximal strength exercise, power-focused exercises, and core training. Pre- and Post-tests were conducted before and after the research period. Each participant was tested for cycling performance (functional threshold power (FTP) with Ramp Test), strength performance (one repetition maximum (1RM) on leg press), and body composition (body mass, leg muscle mass, and body fat mass with InBody test). Statistical significance for within-group change from Pre to Post was analyzed using dependent sample t-tests, and differences between groups were tested with independent sample t-tests.
C and SC significantly improved FTP compared to baseline (19 ± 9 W and 24 ± 13 W), but there was no significant difference between the groups. Strength improved significantly in both groups, 17.08 ± 7.14 kg and 65.00 ± 11.95 kg, C and SC, respectively. Although the increase in 1RM in C was significant within the group, SC showed significantly greater improvement (p < 0.001).
The study suggests that concurrent cycling and power training are beneficial for improving cycling performance in beginners. Power training enhances strength in addition to cycling performance. However, it does not lead to greater improvements in cycling performance than cycling training alone.
Seventeen participants were divided into a cycling-only training group (C, n = 8) and a concurrent training group (SC, n = 9). The research was conducted over eight weeks. The training program consisted of two cycling sessions per week for both groups, and two additional power sessions per week for SC. Cycling training included one high-intensity session to improve VO2max and sprint effort, and one lower-intensity session for recovery and endurance. Power training involved one maximal strength exercise, power-focused exercises, and core training. Pre- and Post-tests were conducted before and after the research period. Each participant was tested for cycling performance (functional threshold power (FTP) with Ramp Test), strength performance (one repetition maximum (1RM) on leg press), and body composition (body mass, leg muscle mass, and body fat mass with InBody test). Statistical significance for within-group change from Pre to Post was analyzed using dependent sample t-tests, and differences between groups were tested with independent sample t-tests.
C and SC significantly improved FTP compared to baseline (19 ± 9 W and 24 ± 13 W), but there was no significant difference between the groups. Strength improved significantly in both groups, 17.08 ± 7.14 kg and 65.00 ± 11.95 kg, C and SC, respectively. Although the increase in 1RM in C was significant within the group, SC showed significantly greater improvement (p < 0.001).
The study suggests that concurrent cycling and power training are beneficial for improving cycling performance in beginners. Power training enhances strength in addition to cycling performance. However, it does not lead to greater improvements in cycling performance than cycling training alone.