Webinar for USA Cycling Coaching Education program.

1. Quadrant analysis:
theory
Andrew R. Coggan, Ph.D.

2. What is quadrant analysis?
Quadrant analysis is a graphical tool for
analyzing powermeter data to provide insight into
the neuromuscular demands of a particular race
or training session. A better understanding of
such demands can be helpful not only for
optimizing training but also behaviors during
races themselves.

3. Quantifying the neuromuscular
demands of training and racing:
AEPF and CPV
Average effective pedal force (AEPF) =
(power • 60)/(cadence • 2 • Pi • crank length)
Circumferential pedal velocity (CPV) =
(cadence • 2 • Pi • crank length)/60

4. Frequency distribution histogram of
AEPF during a level 3 training ride

5. AEPF-CPV relationship
during a level 3 training ride

6. AEPF-CPV-time relationship
during a level 3 training ride

7. Statement of the problem
Simply plotting AEPF and CPV, even
against each other and/or time, primarily tells you
what you actually did during a particular race or
training session, and provides only limited insight
into the impact that had/is likely to have upon you
from a physiological perspective.

8. Muscle force-velocity and
power-velocity relationships
Maximal force
(Fo)
Maximal power
(Pmax)
Maximal
velocity
(Vmax)

9. AEPF-CPV and
power-CPV relationship
Maximal AEPF
(= Fo)
Maximal power
(Pmax)
Maximal CPV
(= Vmax)

10. Maximal AEPF-CPV and
submaximal power

11. Fiber type recruitment as a function of
exercise intensity
100
Total
80
60
Type I
a
d
t
u
c
s
r
e
b
i
f
%
i
c
r
x
f
t
e
s
n
o
40
Type IIa
20
Type IIb
0
25
50
75
% of VO2max
Vollestad et al. Acta Physiol Scand 125:395-405, 1985
100

12. EMG activity as a function of cadence
MacIntosh, Neptune, and Horton, Med Sci Sports Exerc 2000; 32:1281-1287

13. Fiber type recruitment as a
function of cadence
Ahlquist et al., Eur J Appl Physiol 1992; 65: 360-364.

14. Maximal AEPF-CPV and power

15. AEPF vs. CPV during flat time trial

16. AEPF vs. CPV during flat time trial

17. QA of flat time trial

18. QA of 6 x 1 km from standing start

19. QA with data from different PMs
Ride #1
Ride #2