Sunday, 6 November 2016

Should you sit or stand when climbing?

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When the road starts to head up, do you prefer to dance out of the saddle or remain glued to the seat? Scientists have tried to decide on the best method and it turns out that both styles have their benefits.

There are basically two aspects to consider when deciding on the optimum uphill position: aerodynamics and muscle activity.

The argument has always been that aerodynamics matter less on an incline because the rider is moving much slower, so increasing frontal area by standing on the pedals won’t slow you down nearly as much as it would on the flat. 

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This, of course, depends on the severity of the incline. 

If you’re not going that quickly or if the hill is not that steep, you’re probably best off maintaining the more aerodynamic seated position — unless you just need to take the pressure off your behind.

Why incline and intensity matter when deciding whether to sit or stand

The hypothesis that standing posture is less economic than seated is only valid when intensity is lower than 75% of VO2 max

You can read more at BikeRadar.com



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