Allometric scaling of uphill cycling performance

Abstract

Previous laboratory-based investigations have identified optimal body mass scaling exponents in the range 0.79-0.91 for uphill cycling. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate whether or not these exponents are also valid in a field setting. A proportional allometric model was used to predict the optimal power-to-mass ratios associated with road-based uphill time-trial cycling performance. The optimal power function models predicting mean cycle speed during a 5.3 km, 5.4% road hill-climb time-trial were (VO(2max) x m(-1.24))(0.55) and (RMP(max) x m(-1.04))(0.54), explained variance being 84.6% and 70.5%, respectively. Slightly higher mass exponents were observed when the mass predictor was replaced with the combined mass of cyclist and equipment (m(C)). Uphill cycling speed was proportional to (VO(2max) x m(C)(-1.33))(0.57) and (RMP(max) x m(C)(-1.10))(0.59). The curvilinear exponents, 0.54-0.59, identified a relatively strong curvilinear relationship between cycling speed and energy cost, suggesting that air resistance remains influential when cycling up a gradient of 5.4%. These results provide some support for previously reported uphill cycling mass exponents derived in laboratories. However, the exponents reported here were a little higher than those reported previously, a finding possibly explained by a lack of geometric similarity in this sample.