Hager, R. L., Stites, A. W., Parcell, A. C., & Hunter, I. (2011). Comparison of the effects of high-resistance cycle training and leg press on Wingate anaerobic test, strength, and time-trial performance. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 43(5). Supplement abstract 2828.

This study compared high-resistance cycle training with resistance training on anaerobic work (30-second Wingate test), strength (leg press 1 RM), and a 15-minute time-trial performance in healthy college-age untrained males. Ss were randomly assigned to a high-resistance cycle training (N = 10), a resistance training (N = 10), or a control (N = 5) group. Ss completed pre- and post-testing for the leg press, 30-second Wingate anaerobic test, and a 15-minute time-trial. High-resistance cycle training and resistance training trained twice per week for eight weeks with ~48 hours between training sessions. High-resistance cycle training completed 4 x 30 sec efforts increasing resistance when >65 rotations per minute could be maintained for the full training session. Resistance training completed 3 x 10 leg presses with weight increasing 5-10 lbs when all repetitions were completed during a training session.

High-resistance cycle training and resistance training groups improved pre- to post-test in the leg press, the 30-second Wingate anaerobic test, and the 15-minute time-trial. The control group improved pre- to post-test in the leg press and the 15-minute time-trial. Significant differences were noted between the high-resistance cycle training and control groups in the Wingate anaerobic test and the 15-minute time-trial. There was also a difference between the resistance training and control group on the 15-minute time-trial. When comparing high-resistance cycle training and resistance training, there was no difference in the leg press, 30-second Wingate test, and a 15-minute time-trial.

Implication. High-resistance cycle training and resistance training result in similar strength gains in the leg press, the 30-second Wingate anaerobic test, and a 15-minute time-trial in untrained Ss. General training effects often occur in untrained individuals but training has to be specific for performance changes to occur in trained individuals. Thus, it would be hypothesized that the results of this study would not be found if it were repeated in trained cyclists.

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