Neuromuscular Ability - Some Questions

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Hi...

So a friend of mine, who I encouraged to start cycling, came to visit me recently. I had told her of discovering that I had a somewhat high 5s power (18.6 w/kg) which prompted some questions.

1 ) - Is strong neuromuscular power largely genetic? My inclination is to say yes, that it is related to the % of fast-twitch muscles and such.

2 ) - How trainable is neuromuscular power and what level, if any, of improvement can a person expect?

3 ) - I've read about how Anerobic capactiy & energy is limited, but what about neuromuscular power? Would you expect a break or gradual decline of NM power through the course of a race? Let's say a crit with a few premes.

I searched but did not find any threads that answered these specific questions. If there are some, just point them out! :)

Hi...

So a friend of mine, who I encouraged to start cycling, came to visit me recently. I had told her of discovering that I had a somewhat high 5s power (18.6 w/kg) which prompted some questions.

1 ) - Is strong neuromuscular power largely genetic? My inclination is to say yes, that it is related to the % of fast-twitch muscles and such.

2 ) - How trainable is neuromuscular power and what level, if any, of improvement can a person expect?

3 ) - I've read about how Anerobic capactiy & energy is limited, but what about neuromuscular power? Would you expect a break or gradual decline of NM power through the course of a race? Let's say a crit with a few premes.

I searched but did not find any threads that answered these specific questions. If there are some, just point them out! :)

1) As the saying goes, sprinters are born, not made. :)

2) It's certainly trainable, but probably not to the same degree as endurance performance ability (hence the etiology of the above saying). I'd be hesistant to put any absolute (or relative, i.e., percentage) numbers on it, though, simply due to individual differences.

3) Muscle fatigue is multi-factorial, and is also expressed in different ways (e.g., in the scientific literature there exists terms such as "high frequency fatigue" and "low frequency fatigue", which seem to have different causes). It's therefore difficult to say precisely what impact going for an intermediate prime might have upon your ability to win the final sprint...but if your singular goal is to win the race (vs. pocket some $$), then saving everything you can is probably a wise idea.*

*My friend Jim Martin, formerly a track-and-field sprinter in high school, describes his entire career as a cat. 3 roadie as "just hanging on until the 1 km to go kite". :) Then he discovered track cycling and went on to become master nationals champion in the match sprint...

Thanks for your response Dr. Coggan. http://cyclingforums.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

I'm curious to see what, if any, changes develop with my NM abilities and what not.

Thanks for your response Dr. Coggan. http://cyclingforums.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

I'm curious to see what, if any, changes develop with my NM abilities and what not.To add to what Cr.C said . It is better to try to improve when your young. IMO, its not easy to do if you like loads of base miles.(for me anyway) Lastly , maybe you should be a little more open minded to track cycling. There are lots of track cyclists that still race crits effectively and do some long rides during the week as part of training. You might be missing out on some great experiences, maybe even a medal or two.:)

I'm curious to see what, if any, changes develop with my NM abilities and what not.Have you ever been to a major track event? You might want to check the schedule of the track in CO Springs and go up there for one of the major events. It's pretty cool stuff (both the riding and the equipment), a world apart from road and crit racing.

Have you ever been to a major track event? You might want to check the schedule of the track in CO Springs and go up there for one of the major events. It's pretty cool stuff (both the riding and the equipment), a world apart from road and crit racing.No RD, can't say that I have attended the aforementioned. As you already noted, the nearest track is in CO Springs...

FWIW, I've been dabbling with the thought of finding an old steel-framed bike and converting it to a fixie. Not much more than that though~

One day I might take in an event, just out of curiousity.

To add to what Cr.C said . It is better to try to improve when your young. IMO, its not easy to do if you like loads of base miles.(for me anyway) Lastly , maybe you should be a little more open minded to track cycling. There are lots of track cyclists that still race crits effectively and do some long rides during the week as part of training. You might be missing out on some great experiences, maybe even a medal or two.:)Hi Bill....

Don't know if I qualify as young. Nonetheless, I imagine it is easier, as with all things, to adapt or change one's training/program/focus while younger - at least physically.

The possibility, if remote, of winning medals doesn't particularly motivate me, though great experiences sounds interesting! :)

:) No RD, can't say that I have attended the aforementioned. As you already noted, the nearest track is in CO Springs...

FWIW, I've been dabbling with the thought of finding an old steel-framed bike and converting it to a fixie. Not much more than that though~

One day I might take in an event, just out of curiousity.

Hi Bill....

Don't know if I qualify as young. Nonetheless, I imagine it is easier, as with all things, to adapt or change one's training/program/focus while younger - at least physically.

The possibility, if remote, of winning medals doesn't particularly motivate me, though great experiences sounds interesting! :) Track has lots of events to suit cycling strengths. 200m to 1hr to 24 hrs. IMO road riding requires you to adapt to it vs. track having events to suit strengths. Geeze I am gonna get for that one. Most track events will be a weeknight and have a mixed bag of events that can be fun. You will get in 3-4 races and have a time between races to think. You could also just show up to larger events and do the Time trial events that would suit you. No one to crash into on those. Either way have fun and good luck. BTW Dr C has some experience working with a high level female trackie. I think she started to get faster than him, so he put her to work doing other things.

BTW Dr C has some experience working with a high level female trackie. I think she started to get faster than him, so he put her to work doing other things.

:)

Actually, my now-wife retired after achieving one of her long-standing goals (i.e., winning elite nationals) and being denied the chance to achieve another (i.e., represent her country at worlds, or even a world cup). At that point the sacrifices required were no longer worth it, and she decided to get on with the rest of her life.

See lucy if you race track you can marry a doctor:)

See lucy if you race track you can marry a doctor:)I'm sure that has appeal, but for me personally, marriage is not in the plans - not now or ever really.

I'm sure that has appeal, but for me personally, marriage is not in the plans - not now or ever really.Just a joke ,Sales pitch is over . good luck :)

[QUOTE=Lucy_Aspenwind]No RD, can't say that I have attended the aforementioned. As you already noted, the nearest track is in CO Springs...

One day I might take in an event, just out of curiousity.


Lucy,
Every summer (I know its a long way off) Hammer Racing Team puts on a "Hammer Time Trial Day" at the Co Springs Velodrome. Its a good way to try out the Track as there are only Time Trials and no mass start racing that day. You might find you really like it!

Keep an eye on www.colorado-velodrome.org (http://www.colorado-velodrome.org/) starting next May as they should have it posted.

Rich

I'm sure that has appeal, but for me personally, marriage is not in the plans - not now or ever really.

If I weren't already married, I might be offended. ;)

[QUOTE=Lucy_Aspenwind]No RD, can't say that I have attended the aforementioned. As you already noted, the nearest track is in CO Springs...

One day I might take in an event, just out of curiousity.


Lucy,
Every summer (I know its a long way off) Hammer Racing Team puts on a "Hammer Time Trial Day" at the Co Springs Velodrome. Its a good way to try out the Track as there are only Time Trials and no mass start racing that day. You might find you really like it!

Keep an eye on www.colorado-velodrome.org (http://www.colorado-velodrome.org/) starting next May as they should have it posted.

Rich
Hi Rich...

Thanks for the link, it was interesting to look through the site and see the contents, etc. Browsing through one of the sections it was rather informative to look at the results - seeing as I have absolutely no idea what a 'good kilo' time is.

I'll probably some time, though having slogged my way up i-25 a few times this past year, it may not be quite that soon!

If I weren't already married, I might be offended. ;)lol - skepticism reigns supreme!