Hello folks:
For all the bytes expended discussing weight training for cyclists, the "Gyming to improve power" and "Hypertrophy on the bike - possible?" threads, etc., it's surprising how hard it is to get an answer to the question in my subject. I ask because now I'm getting more into velodrome racing and want to switch my training to suit that better, it that will help.
At present I am skeptical that muscle hypertrophy (big muscles) is useful for cyclists, even sprinters. I even wrote on my blog about that back in 2007:
http://dennispedersen.blogspot.com/2007/09/beer-bellies-and-track-racing.html
Short version why big muscles may not help: "the maximum force on the pedal is well within the limits of any person who can walk up a step." My own guesstimate is that I don't produce more than maybe 200 pounds of force on my pedals, ever. So why should I bother doing squats to get bigger leg musles?
Possible reason why big muscles may help: "Maybe that extra strength somehow translates into better "power" for longer efforts." That is, maybe big muscles don't increase our sprint power, but maybe we can sprint at that high power longer? I don't know, and haven't found a clear answer anywhere. I do know my power drops off after about 6 seconds (my power profile is heavily sprinter type, with best 5-second around 1300W).
Anybody out there have more time, access to better resources and found clear scientific evidence to support muscle hypertrophy for cycling sprinters?
Much obliged!
For all the bytes expended discussing weight training for cyclists, the "Gyming to improve power" and "Hypertrophy on the bike - possible?" threads, etc., it's surprising how hard it is to get an answer to the question in my subject. I ask because now I'm getting more into velodrome racing and want to switch my training to suit that better, it that will help.
At present I am skeptical that muscle hypertrophy (big muscles) is useful for cyclists, even sprinters. I even wrote on my blog about that back in 2007:
http://dennispedersen.blogspot.com/2007/09/beer-bellies-and-track-racing.html
Short version why big muscles may not help: "the maximum force on the pedal is well within the limits of any person who can walk up a step." My own guesstimate is that I don't produce more than maybe 200 pounds of force on my pedals, ever. So why should I bother doing squats to get bigger leg musles?
Possible reason why big muscles may help: "Maybe that extra strength somehow translates into better "power" for longer efforts." That is, maybe big muscles don't increase our sprint power, but maybe we can sprint at that high power longer? I don't know, and haven't found a clear answer anywhere. I do know my power drops off after about 6 seconds (my power profile is heavily sprinter type, with best 5-second around 1300W).
Anybody out there have more time, access to better resources and found clear scientific evidence to support muscle hypertrophy for cycling sprinters?
Much obliged!