Strength training in the gym versus speciﬁc strength training on the bike in young off-road cyclists

Q: What was the aim of the study?

To compare the effects of gym-based strength training versus bike-specific strength training on performance in young off-road cyclists.

Q: How were the participants divided and what did each group do?

Nineteen participants were split into two groups: group A combined endurance training with two weekly gym strength sessions, while group B combined endurance training with two weekly bike-specific strength sessions for 12 weeks.

Q: Which performance tests were used to evaluate outcomes?

The study used an incremental test, a 30 s Wingate test, and a countermovement jump test, measured at T0 (pre) and T1 (post).

Q: Did strength training improve all measured outcomes equally in both groups?

Gym-based training led to significant improvements in Wingate mean power output and maximum power achieved, whereas bike-specific training showed no significant Wingate MPO or MPA changes; vertical jump height showed no significant differences in either group.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Alexandar

The study compares strength training in the gym with sport-specific strength training on the bike in young off-road cyclists. Nineteen participants completed 12 weeks of endurance training plus two weekly strength sessions: group A trained in the gym, group B trained specifically on the bike. Incremental testing, a 30 s Wingate test, and countermovement jumps were measured at pre (T0) and post (T1). Gym training improved 30 s Wingate mean power output and maximum power achieved, while bike-specific training showed no significant Wingate MPO or MPA changes. No significant vertical jump height differences were found between T0 and T1.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background

Methods and testing

Areas of agreement and controversy

Conclusions and future research

Strength training in the gym versus speciﬁc strength training on the bike in young off-road cyclists Domenico Savio Salvatore Vicari1 ,2 , Luca Filipas3 ,4 , Valerio Giustino2 , * , Patrik Drid5 , Antonino Bianco2 1 Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Via Casorati 43, 37131, Verona, Italy 2 Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Via Giovanni Pascoli 6, 90144, Palermo, Italy 3 Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Via Giuseppe Colombo 71, 20133, Milan, Italy 4TotalEnergies Pro Cycling Team, 19 Rue DU Dr Arsene Mignen, 85140, Essarts-en-Bocage, France 5 Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, Lovenska 16, 21101, Novi Sad, Serbia *Corresponding author. Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Via Giovanni Pascoli, 6-90144, Palermo, [Italy. E-mail: valerio.giustino@unipa.it](Italy. E-mail: valerio.giustino@unipa.it) Abstract Background: The beneﬁts of strength training in cyclists are still a topic of debate. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of strength training performed in the gym with speciﬁc strength training performed on the bike in young off-road cyclists. Sources of data: Nineteen participants were divided into the following two groups: (i) the group A performed 12 weeks of endurance training combined with two sessions/week of strength training in the gym; (ii) the group B performed 12 weeks of endurance training combined with two sessions/week of speciﬁc strength training on the bike. Incremental test, 30 s Wingate test, and countermovement jump test were conducted at pre (T0) and post (T1) training programs. Areas of agreement: The ﬁndings are in line with previous research showing that heavy strength training in cyclists has signiﬁcant improvements in some aerobic and anaerobic performance outcomes. Indeed, our results showed that in the group A, the Mean Power Output (MPO) of the 30 s Wingate test increased signiﬁcantly between T0 and T1 ( P = .002) . In the group B, no signiﬁcant differences were found in the MPO of the 30 s Wingate test between T0 and T1 ( P = .276) . In the group A, the Maximum Power Achieved (MPA) increased signiﬁcantly between T0 and T1 (P < .001) . In the group B, no signiﬁcant differences were found in the MPA between T0 and T1 (P= .889) . Areas of controversy: Strength training in the gym for cyclists has not been widely investigated, and, in fact, the literature shows conﬂicting results on the topic, with some research groups highlighting the importance of sport-speciﬁc strength training. In this way, in both groups, no signiﬁcant differences in the vertical jump height between T0 and T1 ( P = .331 and P = . 184, for groups A and B, respectively) were detected. However, the small sample size and the numerical heterogeneity between males and females in the recruited sample do not allow to generalize ﬁndings. Growing points: As the group of cyclists who performed strength training in the gym showed signiﬁcant improvements, this study suggests integrating heavy strength sessions in the gym into the usual endurance training program. Areas timely for developing research: Further studies should investigate the effectiveness of strength training in the gym both in all off-road cycling categories as well as in other cycling specialities. Keywords: cycling; bicycle; resistance training; sport performance; biomechanics Introduction The training of metabolic capacities in off-road cycling is critical, given the performance model of the competition [1–3]. The duration of cross-country races depends on the type of category. For elite cyclists, the duration of the race is ∼ 120/135 minutes for men and 105/120 minutes for women [1]. For cyclists in the Italian youth categories “

FAQs

What was the aim of the study?

To compare the effects of gym-based strength training versus bike-specific strength training on performance in young off-road cyclists.

How were the participants divided and what did each group do?

Nineteen participants were split into two groups: group A combined endurance training with two weekly gym strength sessions, while group B combined endurance training with two weekly bike-specific strength sessions for 12 weeks.

Which performance tests were used to evaluate outcomes?

The study used an incremental test, a 30 s Wingate test, and a countermovement jump test, measured at T0 (pre) and T1 (post).

Did strength training improve all measured outcomes equally in both groups?

Gym-based training led to significant improvements in Wingate mean power output and maximum power achieved, whereas bike-specific training showed no significant Wingate MPO or MPA changes; vertical jump height showed no significant differences in either group.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Alexandar