Leg power discrepency

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Hi

I THINK I have a slight discrepency in my leg power output.

I was trying to think of the best way to figure out how to check this.

Would pedalling at say 90rpm (or whatever) with each leg and on an IDT work ?

Hi

I THINK I have a slight discrepency in my leg power output.

I was trying to think of the best way to figure out how to check this.

Would pedalling at say 90rpm (or whatever) with each leg and on an IDT work ?
The new Polar CS600 w power measures left vs right power output ... assuming you were looking for a new power meter.:D

Joe

Suggest joining wattage forum and reading this post:
http://groups.google.com/group/wattage/browse_frm/thread/7dbfc7b455c12009#

The new Polar CS600 w power measures left vs right power output ... assuming you were looking for a new power meter.:D

Joe
No chance I'll be separated from my PowerTap...:D

Suggest joining wattage forum and reading this post:
http://groups.google.com/group/wattage/browse_frm/thread/7dbfc7b455c12009#ok great. I'm a member so will take a look.

thanks

Hi

I THINK I have a slight discrepency in my leg power output.

I was trying to think of the best way to figure out how to check this.

Would pedalling at say 90rpm (or whatever) with each leg and on an IDT work ?
We are not "Borg" -- seriously, almost everyone has a (power) discrepancy between their two sides and, further, it often varies depending on the exertion level at which it is measured. If the difference results from an injury or physiological condition, then PT could be appropriate -- likewise if the difference is quite significant. Almost all of the riders I have worked with have had a discernable difference between their two sides.

Best,
Bill Black

We are not "Borg" -- seriously, almost everyone has a (power) discrepancy between their two sides and, further, it often varies depending on the exertion level at which it is measured. If the difference results from an injury or physiological condition, then PT could be appropriate -- likewise if the difference is quite significant. Almost all of the riders I have worked with have had a discernable difference between their two sides.

Best,
Bill Black
:D :D :D no, as soon as I wrote it I should have ammended it to say that I don't believe it's a big difference. I suppose it's just my nature to see if I could "teach" the weaker leg to be "up to speed" so to speak :D

If you can get on a Computrainer somewhere (does a local fitness club maybe have one - or even a local PT?) there's a pedal stroke analysis that will show any discepencies. It's actually not so silly to want to know. Yeah - I wouldn't expect to be perfectly symetrical, but I had a discrepancy that showed on the computrainer during my bike fit and it turned out that I also had a leg length discrepency. Putting some shims in my shoe really evened me out.

Hi

I THINK I have a slight discrepency in my leg power output.

I was trying to think of the best way to figure out how to check this.

Would pedalling at say 90rpm (or whatever) with each leg and on an IDT work ?A pair of PowerCranks will diagnose leg weakness very well because you can't compensate for any weakness with the strong leg so the weakness shows up very quickly. If you have a weakness, training with a pair of PowerCranks will correct you leg weakness very well because you can't compensate for any weakness with the strong leg so the weakness is corrected very quickly

A pair of PowerCranks will diagnose leg weakness very well because you can't compensate for any weakness with the strong leg so the weakness shows up very quickly. If you have a weakness, training with a pair of PowerCranks will correct you leg weakness very well because you can't compensate for any weakness with the strong leg so the weakness is corrected very quicklyStrangely enough when riding my bike using Powercranks my Polar CS600P indicates (51/49) for the average left/right power balance. When on my bike using standard cranks CS600P says (54/46).:confused:

Strangely enough when riding my bike using Powercranks my Polar CS600P indicates (51/49) for the average left/right power balance. When on my bike using standard cranks CS600P says (54/46).:confused:I am not so sure why you find that strange, as the regular cranks allow for compensation whereas the PC's don't. You are probably backing off a little bit on your strong leg (and increasing your weak leg a little also) that is making yourself better balanced when riding the PC's. As you keep pushing your PC ability though you should find you are balanced and the "same" on both cranks, as the weak leg improves.

Only caveat to the above would be if you don't ride the PC's very often, the changes are either not going to happen or they will happen very slowly. Need to ride the PC's a lot to see the balancing occur.

Only caveat to the above would be if you don't ride the PC's very often, the changes are either not going to happen or they will happen very slowly. Need to ride the PC's a lot to see the balancing occur. and if s/he doesn't keep riding with them, the changes won't be permanent?

Strangely enough when riding my bike using Powercranks my Polar CS600P indicates (51/49) for the average left/right power balance. When on my bike using standard cranks CS600P says (54/46).:confused:As your signature implies, "the best is yet to come". So that you do not disappoint Jeff, you need to seek a perfect 50/50 balance. I'm sure that you can do it if you try hard enough. :rolleyes: Bonne chance! ;)

and if s/he doesn't keep riding with them, the changes won't be permanent?Actually, I disagree with this. Leg imbalances tend to occur because of compensatory patterns that develop after injury. If one can get the legs rebalanced then I think they will tend to stay that way unless another injury occurs and they become unbalanced again. Now, pedaling form is another thing. :-)

Actually, I disagree with this. I was asking a question, not making a statement.

I was hoping that you, as the inventor, would have some data on how permanent the changes are.

and if s/he doesn't keep riding with them, the changes won't be permanent?

Prior to the 1984 Olympics, the US team pursuit squad trained extensively with EMG biofeedback to encourage extensive "pulling up", but reverted to their prior pattern of muscle activation when they stopped training this way. Much more recently, both Jeff Broker and Max Testa have anecdotally reported that they've seen PowerCrankers revert to their prior way of pedaling once they stopped using the cranks (as much). Finally, on another forum someone (Frank himself?) linked to a PowerPoint presentation from an Italian (?) researcher who reported the same thing, i.e., that continual reinforcement is necessary.

I am not so sure why you find that strange, as the regular cranks allow for compensation whereas the PC's don't. You are probably backing off a little bit on your strong leg (and increasing your weak leg a little also) that is making yourself better balanced when riding the PC's. As you keep pushing your PC ability though you should find you are balanced and the "same" on both cranks, as the weak leg improves.

Only caveat to the above would be if you don't ride the PC's very often, the changes are either not going to happen or they will happen very slowly. Need to ride the PC's a lot to see the balancing occur.
During last 3 months 2500 kms on PC's and 1000 kms on regular cranks.
A very positive thing happened with the use of the PC's wich I didnt expect when I first decided to ride with them, is that I dont suffer anymore from my hip surgery (I have a hip prothesis like Landis:D ).

As your signature implies, "the best is yet to come". So that you do not disappoint Jeff, you need to seek a perfect 50/50 balance. I'm sure that you can do it if you try hard enough. :rolleyes: Bonne chance! ;)
Merci! But I'm not searching for "perfect" balance , just balance is enough!:)

Prior to the 1984 Olympics, the US team pursuit squad trained extensively with EMG biofeedback to encourage extensive "pulling up", but reverted to their prior pattern of muscle activation when they stopped training this way. Much more recently, both Jeff Broker and Max Testa have anecdotally reported that they've seen PowerCrankers revert to their prior way of pedaling once they stopped using the cranks (as much). Finally, on another forum someone (Frank himself?) linked to a PowerPoint presentation from an Italian (?) researcher who reported the same thing, i.e., that continual reinforcement is necessary.We are talking about trying to change unconscious, ingrained, spinal reflex coordination. It makes sense to me that part time (or short duration) encouragement would be less than 100% effective and that people would sooner or later revert right back to where they were without continued reinforcement. That is in agreement with the studies and observations you mention.

What blows me away is how someone like Max Testa, who has many athletes on PowerCranks, understands the benefits of the cranks, understands that the beneficial changes may not be permanent, but, seemingly, doesn't understand that more extensive use, like exclusive use for a period of time (which is what I recommend for this very reason), would minimize this back slide since Max tends to recommend the PC's be used only twice per week in his elite athletes, as I understand it. He is in contact with some athletes in SLC now who are using them pretty much exclusively and maybe he will eventually come around as he sees this backsliding does not necessarily have to occur or, at least, it doesn't have to occur quickly.

During last 3 months 2500 kms on PC's and 1000 kms on regular cranks.
A very positive thing happened with the use of the PC's wich I didnt expect when I first decided to ride with them, is that I dont suffer anymore from my hip surgery (I have a hip prothesis like Landis:D ).At least, now we can explain your imbalance. Injury indeed. :-)

One question, what kind of problems were you having with your hip before PC's (I assume pain was one, was there more) and how long did it take for them to resolve after starting training with them? Now, it is just a matter of continuing the rehab to complete balance.

Also, congratulations on your PC mileage. Those 1000 kms on regular cranks though is slowing the balancing process down somewhat I suspect. You should eventually make it but it is going to go a little bit slower than if you were exclusive PC's. Not sure if your season will allow this but I would try to go all PC's until you are fully balanced and then try to re-integrate regular cranks back into the training fold to keep you "race ready on regular cranks".