@Article{Pallares2025,
journal="Biology of Sport",
issn="0860-021X",
volume="42",
number="3",
year="2025",
title="Cyclists do not need to incorporate off-bike resistance training to 
increase strength, muscle-tendon structure, and pedaling 
performance: Exploring a high-intensity on-bike method",
abstract="This randomized controlled trial compared the effectiveness of high-intensity off- and on-bike resistance training (RT) in well-trained cyclists. Thirty-seven cyclists incorporated into their cycling routine a 10-week RT only differing in the exercise used: full squat (off-bike RT,  n  = 12) or high-intensity all-out pedaling efforts (on-bike RT,  n  = 12). RT variables like intensity (% maximal dynamic force, MDF), volume, sets, and rest were identical between groups. A third group of cyclists who continued their cycling routine but did not include additional RT stimuli was used as a control ( n  = 13). The cycling volume at each intensity zone was also matched between the three groups. No significant differences were found between off- and on-bike RT in any parameter. RT groups improved the maximal aerobic power (ES ≥ 0.37) and that attained at the respiratory compensation point (RCP, ES ≥ 0.20). The on-bike RT also significantly enhanced power attained at the ventilatory threshold (ES = 0.24). Off-bike MDF was meaningfully enhanced by both RT groups (ES ≥ 0.16), whereas the on-bike group also significantly increased pedaling MDF (ES = 0.67). Quadriceps size was significantly increased by the off-bike group (ES = 0.22), whereas the on-bike RT also tended to augment this parameter (ES = 0.15) and patellar tendon size (ES = 0.35). Improvements in both RT regimes for time-to-exhaustion capacity (ES ≥ 0.30) were considerable but not significant. The off-bike group tended to increase injury-related symptoms (ES ≥ 0.33). The control group significantly decreased off-and on-bike MDF (ES ≤ -0.40) and quadriceps size (ES = -0.26). These findings suggest that high-intensity on-bike RT is an effective alternative to off-bike RT to safely increase strength, muscle-tendon structure, and cycling performance.",
author="Pallares, Jesús G.
and Barranco-Gil, David
and Rodríguez-Rielves, Víctor
and de Pablos, Raúl
and Buendía-Romero, Ángel
and Martínez-Cava, Alejandro
and Franco-López, Francisco
and Sánchez-Redondo, Iván R.
and Iriberri, Jon
and Revuelta, Carlos
and Lillo-Bevia, José Ramón
and Valenzuela, Pedro
and Lucia, Alejandro
and Hernández-Belmonte, Alejandro
and Alejo, Lidia",
pages="185--195",
doi="10.5114/biolsport.2025.146790",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2025.146790"
}