The effect of aerodynamic characteristics on the drafting effect in track cycling

Journal Title: Journal of Science and Cycling - Year 2015, Vol 4, Issue 2

Abstract

Since the aim of the men’s team pursuit is to accomplish a distance of 4000m as fast as possible, reducing aerodynamic drag by means of drafting can attribute in achieving this goal. Broker et al.1 quantified the average effect of drafting on power requirements in a team pursuit based on practical experimental data. However, since team members are not identical and will differ in aerodynamic characteristics, expressed as frontal projected areas (Ap) and drag coefficients (Cd), the reduction in power is likely to vary among individuals. A prediction of the magnitude of the drafting effect based on aerodynamic characteristics of team members can result in a more specific estimation for required power per position than the model of Broker et al.1 This study focuses on the effect of frontal area of team members on drag reduction, expressed as percentage of the drag coefficient measured in first position (drag fraction).

Authors and Affiliations

Heimans, L. | Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Faculty of Human Movement Science, Dijkshoorn, WR

Keywords

Related Articles

Effects of seat height on muscular pattern and interlimb coordination in cycling

The riding position is a key factor for performance in cycling particularly to prevent chronic diseases related to practice. Even though some authors use the crotch length to get the ideal seat height, others base the r...

Influence of age and sex on pacing during Sprint, Olympic, Half-Ironman and Ironman triathlons. Part B

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of biological sex and age on the pacing strategies adopted by non-drafting top triathletes during the cycle and run disciplines of a Sprint, Olympic, half-Ironman an...

Individualising training intensity to reduce inter-individual variability in training response in trained cyclists

Training to improve endurance performance commonly results in large inter-individual variability (IIV) in response (Bouchard et al. [1998]. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 30(2), 252–258; Mann et al. [2014]....

Comparing time-trial and time to exhaustion performance

Introduction: Time to exhaustion trials (TTE) at a fixed exercise intensity have been widely used in a laboratory setting to measure endurance performance. However, they have been criticised for lacking ecological validi...

Efficiency index of a pedaling monitor system depend on load power, cadence and body weight

Background: In recent years, a variety of power meters for bicycles has become commercially available (Allen & Coggan, 2010: Training and Racing with a Power Meter (2nd edn.). Boulder, Velopress). In particular, a pedali...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP2928
  • DOI -
  • Views 340
  • Downloads 20

How To Cite

L. (2015). The effect of aerodynamic characteristics on the drafting effect in track cycling. Journal of Science and Cycling, 4(2), 40-42. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-2928