Good vibrations

Ever ridden the Paris-Roubaix sportive? Apart from pinning that cobbled badge of honour to your gilet, according to research by professor in exercise physiology at Lillehammer University, Bent Ronnestad, you will have also enjoyed greater fitness gains than you if you'd only ridden on smooth tarmac.

“It’s true – adding vibration to your cycling will improve performance,” explained Ronnestad. In one of the strangest experiments discussed at the Nantes conference, Ronnestad revealed how he had 10 club-level cyclists visit his Norwegian lab on three occasions: once to familiarise themselves with the testing the protocol and Computrainer; and second and third visits to crank out 6 x 5min intervals aboard Computrainer, that for some riders was set up on a vibration plate set at 40 Hertz.

“The key finding was that riders could maintain above 90% of their VO max 2 and maximum heart rate for longer,” said Ronnestad. And that’s important in training, because the longer you can hold such a high intensity, the greater your speed-endurance; and it’s important in racing, as you’ll be able to hold that top gear for longer, and perhaps get into or escape from a break.

Ronnestad suggests various reasons for the improvement: more excited nervous system; greater recruitment of fast-twitch muscle fibres (the ones responsible for power); and by ‘awakening’ previously fatigued muscle fibres.

Ronnestad used a Pneuvibe vibration platform that cost thousands. For the rest of us, cheaper models start at around £200. Just ensure it’s large enough to accommodate your turbo trainer! (You could, of course, find stretches of cobbles – or, more likely, potholed roads – for some free vibrations.)