Int J Sports Med 2000; 21(3): 195-199
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-9466
Training and Testing
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ·New York

The Validity of Power Output Recorded During Exercise Performance Tests Using a Kingcycle Air-Braked Cycle Ergometer When Compared With an SRM Powermeter

 J. Balmer,  R. C. R. Davison,  D. A. Coleman,  S. R. Bird
  • Department of Sport Science, Canterbury Christ Church University College, Canterbury, United Kingdom
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

This study assessed the validity of power output recorded using an air-braked cycle ergometer (Kingcycle™) when compared with a power measuring crankset (SRM™). For part one of the study thirteen physically active subjects completed a continuous incremental exercise test (OBLA), for part two of the study twelve trained cyclists completed two tests; a maximal aerobic power test (MAP) and a 16.1 km time-trial (16.1 km TT). The following were compared; the peak power output (PPO) recorded for 1 min during MAP, the average power output for the duration of the time-trial and power output recorded during each stage of OBLA. For all tests, power output recorded using Kingcycle was significantly higher than SRM (P < 0.001). Ratio limits of agreement between SRM and Kingcycle for OBLA showed a bias (P < 0.00) of 0.90 (95 %CI = 0.90 - 0.91) with a random error of ×/÷ 1.07, and for PPO and 16.1 km TT ratio limits of agreement were 0.90 (95 %CI = 0.88 - 0.92) ×/÷ 1.07 and 0.92 (95 %CI = 0.90 - 0.94) ×/÷ 1.07, respectively. This data revealed that the Kingcycle ergometry system did not provide a valid measure of power output when compared with SRM.

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James Balmer

Department of Sport Science Canterbury Christ Church University College

Canterburry CT1 1QU

United Kingdom

Phone: + 44 (227) 767700

Fax: + 44 (227) 470442

Email: j.balmer@cant.ac.uk