Measurement of external power output during high intensity exercise

Friction-loaded cycle ergometers are widely used to measure the work done in short-duration high-intensity exercise. This work is calculated conventionally from the product of flywheel speed and resistive load. This method assumes the flywheel to revolving at a constant speed and does not take into account the work required to accelerate it (uncorrected method). This study examines the possible error resulting from such an assumption. and a new method of calculation is proposed (corrected method). This new method required high frequency logging of the flywheel speed by a microcomputer. Statistical comparison of the two methods of calculation for a 30s maximal sprint showed: (1) that when no correction is made for flywheel acceleration peak power output is greatly underestimated; (2) the time taken to reach peak power is shorter when corrected values are used; (3) the instantaneous values of power throughout the test are different: (4) the total work done during the 30s is independent of the method of calculation. [Continues.]