The effect of cleat position on cycling performance in competitive cyclists

Marsh, CE; Harrison, N

Abstract

Optimising bicycle set-up is important with
respect to cycling performance and includes variables such as seat height, seat tube angle, stem length
and frame proportions. Another potential factor for
consideration is foot position on the pedal. Whilst
greater muscle activation can be achieved with the
use of cleats compared to flat pedals, which may
subsequently influence power output achieved and
oxygen uptake, very few studies have assessed
whether posterior or anterior attachment point of
foot to pedal affects performance. Therefore, the
purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of
anterior–posterior cleat position on parameters of
cycling performance.
Seven participants (mean ± s: age 31.4 ± 7.7 years,
weight 76.3 ± 8.56 kg, height 178.2 ± 9.23 cm) participated in the study. The experimental protocol was
granted approval by the local ethics committee.
Participants completed two incremental exercise
tests (ramp – 1 W every 2 s) on a Lode cycle ergometer to determine maximal oxygen uptake (O2max )
(l · min–1
), and power output (PO) at ventilatory
threshold (VT) (using V-slope and ventilatory equivalent dual criteria) and PO at O2max . Tests were performed once using an anterior cleat (AC) position
and once using a posterior cleat (PC) position in a
randomised order. Participants wore a respiratory
mask while expired gases were collected and analysed
using breath-by-breath on-line gas analysis, and data
was examined utilising paired sample t-tests.
Result showed that mean O2max was greater for AC
than for PC (4.45 ± 0.44 vs. 4.20 ± 0.40 l · min–1, P = 0.018; effect size 0.55), but mean PO at O2max
(AC 401.43 ± 4.88 vs. PC 400.00 ± 36.97 W,
P = 0.871; effect size 0.03) and PO at VT (AC
287.86 ± 45.99 vs. PC 272.14 ± 23.25 W,
P = 0.359; effect size 0.40) were not different.
The results indicate that cleat position does not
affect power output at VT or O2max and corroborates
previous research that shoe position does not affect
cycling performance (Paton, 2009). However, AC
position appears to have a positive effect on absolute
O2max , contrasting earlier research regarding any physiological benefit.
Conclusion: The results suggest that AC–PC position is not a significant factor for consideration in
bicycle set up with respect to power output that can
be achieved, but that there may be some physiological advantage for AC position with respect to maximal aerobic capacity that can be attained. It is
possible that this is attributed to an AC position
achieving greater activation of the ankle plantarflexor muscles.

Citation

Marsh, C., & Harrison, N. The effect of cleat position on cycling performance in competitive cyclists. Poster presented at British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) Conference 2013, University of Central Lancashire, United Kingdom

• Presentation Conference Type: Poster
• Conference Name: British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) Conference 2013
• Conference Location: University of Central Lancashire, United Kingdom
• End Date: Sep 5, 2013
• Publication Date: Jul 17, 2014
• Deposit Date: Jun 12, 2015
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2014.896604
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2014.896604
• Related Public URLs: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rjsp20#.VXgwQqI0XTo
• Additional Information: Access Information : This published poster presentation abstract can be read using the link above.; Event Type : Conference