The Real Science of Sport Podcast

Science of Sport Spotlight 9: To Torque or Not to Torque, energy demands from the Women's Tour, and topical doping debates

Nov 28, 2024

Join Gareth Davies, a cycling enthusiast and contributor to the Discourse community, as he shares insights from his Zwift training experience. Discover the debate on high cadence versus torque training and its impact on cycling performance. Explore the staggering energy demands faced by female cyclists in the Tour de France Femmes, with athletes burning up to 7500 kCal daily. Plus, dive into the complexities of doping controversies, including calls for WADA to address carbon monoxide misuse and the Enhanced Games' provocative prize for record-breaking performances.

01:01:33

Creator website

Episode guests

Gareth Davies

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Engaging with a coaching community fosters shared knowledge that enhances training techniques and athlete performance across various sports.

The contrasting training methods of high cadence versus torque training reveal the need for a balanced approach to optimize cycling efficiency and power.

The significant caloric demands of female cyclists during elite competitions highlight the critical importance of tailored nutritional strategies for optimal performance.

Deep dives

Mint Mobile's Price Cut and Market Context

Mint Mobile has announced a significant price reduction for its Unlimited plan, cutting the monthly cost from $30 to $15. This decision comes amidst rising inflation that has affected the pricing strategies of larger wireless companies, which are allowed to increase their fees despite long-term contracts. The conversation with Mint's legal team highlighted the questionable legality of such price hikes under existing contracts, raising concerns about consumer rights. The price cut aims to make Mint Mobile a more competitive option for consumers looking for affordable wireless service.

Intro

2min

Engaging Community Insights on Coaching and Doping

2min

Exploring High Cadence Cycling and Community Insights

6min

Understanding Cadence and Torque in Cycling Performance

3min

Cadence Evolution in Cycling Training

15min

Energy Dynamics in Elite Female Cycling

15min

Exploring Research Gaps in Female Sports and Recent Cycling News

3min

Doping Dilemmas in Sports

16min

Reflections on Cycling, Doping, and Year-End Highlights

2min

In this spotlight episode, Ross and Gareth put some of the interesting discussions from our Discourse community in the spotlight. Gareth, master (and moderator) of Discourse, learned all about high cadence training from the coaches in the Discourse community when he tackled a Zwift cycling programme that had him spinning his legs. We discuss whether high cadence training has merit, or whether we should actually be looking at the other extreme - Torque training, with very low cadence, to develop cycling ability? A fascinating recent paper is the basis for that discussion. We also talk about a paper that documents the remarkable energy costs of cycling in the Tour de France Femmes - an incredible 7500 kCal per day, not met by energy intake in the case study. Finally, we tackle two doping stories. The first is a call by the UCI for WADA to "take a position" on alleged Carbon Monoxide misuse by elite cyclists, and the second is the latest step taken by the Enhanced Games, who, among other things, wish to classify aging as a disease. And they'll pay a cool million to a human who runs a sub-9.58s 100m, powered by any means necessary.

Show notes

Join Discourse

If you fancy a bit of the coaching, sports science and sports news conversations with our amazing members, consider a small donation to become a Patron of the site, and get access to our Discourse community, where you can join like-minded fans and sports enthusiasts to keep the conversation going.

The research study that finds that low cadence training enhances performance more than self-selected (high) cadence training during an 8-week polarized training block

The case study of energy demands in an elite woman in the Tour de France

The UCI calls on WADA to take a position on Carbon Monoxide use

The Enhanced Games message to Robert F Kennedy to declare war on aging

Get bonus content on Patreon

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.