Isolated Leg Training with Computrainer

Can the Computrainer vary the resistance quickly enough, and in a predictive fashion to keep power constant throughout a *single* pedal stroke? :eek:

I'd think by the time it sensed a lower power on the upstroke and changed the resistance to compensate, your foot would already be over the top and sending power through the roof on the downstroke (with the trainer rapidly dropping resistance trying to catch up). By all means, try it and let us know how well it works in ergo mode.

Another question would be "Do you *want* to actively try and equalize power on the upstroke?" There is some debate about whether the most effecient pedal stroke is one that applies power throughout the entire 360 or whether it is one that is better at smoothly applying power at optimum points on the downstroke and then unweighting on the upstroke.

peterpen said:

Another question would be "Do you *want* to actively try and equalize power on the upstroke?" There is some debate about whether the most effecient pedal stroke is one that applies power throughout the entire 360 or whether it is one that is better at smoothly applying power at optimum points on the downstroke and then unweighting on the upstroke.

It seems to me that producing even power around the stroke would be a bad thing, because for this to be possible, you would have to purposely pedal softly on the down stroke. The downward part of the pedal stroke has gravity as well as larger muscle groups behind it compared to the upstroke.

peterpen said:

There is some debate about whether the most effecient pedal stroke is one that applies power throughout the entire 360 or whether it is one that is better at smoothly applying power at optimum points on the downstroke and then unweighting on the upstroke.

Here are the often-cited two papers from Dr. Ed Coyle on the subject of pedaling style and the utilization (or not) of the upstroke as a component of propulsion in elite endurance cyclists:

Physiological and biochemical determinants of elite endurance cycling performance
The pedaling technique of elite endurance cyclists: changes with increasing workload at constant cadence

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