Effects of combined exercise training and bicycle ergonomic adaptation on cycling performance and physical fitness in recreational cyclists: a randomized controlled trial with 6-month follow-up
- 1Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey
- 2Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Hasan Kalyoncu University, Gaziantep, Turkey
Abstract
Background: Cycling performance is influenced by physiological capacity and bicycle ergonomics, but the combined effects of structured exercise training and bicycle ergonomic adaptation in recreational cyclists remain unclear.
Objectives: To examine the effects of combined exercise training and bicycle ergonomic adaptation on cycling performance and physical fitness in recreational cyclists.
Methods: Fifty-one recreational cyclists were randomized to a combined exercise plus ergonomic adaptation group (CEEG, n = 17), an ergonomic adaptation only group (EAG, n = 17), or a control group (CG, n = 17). The intervention lasted 12 weeks, followed by a 6-month. Functional threshold power (FTP), 10-mile speed, critical power, muscle strength, and aerobic capacity were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04972305) on 15/07/2021.
Results: Significant group × time interactions were found for FTP (p < 0.001), critical power (p = 0.046), muscle strength outcomes (all p < 0.001), and aerobic capacity (p < 0.001). FTP improved more in the CEEG than in the EAG and CG, with differences maintained at 6 months. The group × time interaction for 10-mile speed was not significant (p = 0.170). Critical power showed a more favorable longitudinal pattern in the CEEG. Aerobic capacity improved more in the CEEG immediately post-intervention, but between-group differences were not maintained at follow-up.
Conclusion: Combined exercise training with bicycle ergonomic adaptation improved FTP and muscle strength and favorably influenced critical power and short-term aerobic capacity, but not 10-mile speed.
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BibTeX
@article{kırmacı2026effects,
title = {{Effects of combined exercise training and bicycle ergonomic adaptation on cycling performance and physical fitness in recreational cyclists: a randomized controlled trial with 6-month follow-up}},
author = {Yusuf Şinasi Kırmacı and Günseli Usgu},
journal = {BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1186/s13102-026-02081-1},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-026-02081-1},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Effects of combined exercise training and bicycle ergonomic adaptation on cycling performance and physical fitness in recreational cyclists: a randomized controlled trial with 6-month follow-up
AU - Yusuf Şinasi Kırmacı
AU - Günseli Usgu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/12
JO - BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
DO - 10.1186/s13102-026-02081-1
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-026-02081-1
AB - Background: Cycling performance is influenced by physiological capacity and bicycle ergonomics, but the combined effects of structured exercise training and bicycle ergonomic adaptation in recreational cyclists remain unclear. Objectives: To examine the effects of combined exercise training and bicycle ergonomic adaptation on cycling performance and physical fitness in recreational cyclists. Methods: Fifty-one recreational cyclists were randomized to a combined exercise plus ergonomic adaptation group (CEEG, n = 17), an ergonomic adaptation only group (EAG, n = 17), or a control group (CG, n = 17). The intervention lasted 12 weeks, followed by a 6-month. Functional threshold power (FTP), 10-mile speed, critical power, muscle strength, and aerobic capacity were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04972305) on 15/07/2021. Results: Significant group × time interactions were found for FTP (p < 0.001), critical power (p = 0.046), muscle strength outcomes (all p < 0.001), and aerobic capacity (p < 0.001). FTP improved more in the CEEG than in the EAG and CG, with differences maintained at 6 months. The group × time interaction for 10-mile speed was not significant (p = 0.170). Critical power showed a more favorable longitudinal pattern in the CEEG. Aerobic capacity improved more in the CEEG immediately post-intervention, but between-group differences were not maintained at follow-up. Conclusion: Combined exercise training with bicycle ergonomic adaptation improved FTP and muscle strength and favorably influenced critical power and short-term aerobic capacity, but not 10-mile speed.
SN - 2052-1847
ER -