The relationship between cadence decline, cardiovascular drift and aerobic decoupling as a marker of fatigue in well trained cyclists
Barsumyan A, Soost C, Graw JA, Burchard R (2026)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2026
Journal
Book Volume: 18
Article Number: 179
Journal Issue: 1
DOI: 10.1186/s13102-026-01678-w
Abstract
Background: Prolonged steady-state cycling is characterised by gradual neuromuscular and metabolic acute fatigue, which may affect an athlete’s movement patterns. We hypothesize that athletes might unconsciously reduce cadence as a compensatory strategy to maintain power output. To test this theory, we examined changes in cadence and internal load during extended submaximal cycling. Methods: To test this theory, 17 trained cyclists performed a monthly standardised 60-minute effort at 75% of their functional threshold power for five months, yielding 85 paired observations. Cadence behaviour was analysed alongside cardiovascular drift and aerobic decoupling in order to ascertain whether cadence decline reflects a surrogate marker of acute fatigue. Results: The results showed that cadence decline in the second half of the test was significantly correlated with both, cardiovascular drift and aerobic decoupling. Linear mixed model regression analysis revealed a robust association between cadence decline and cardiovascular drift (b = 0.61, p = 0.024), and a repeated measures correlation of r = 0.40 (p < 0.001). On average, each additional rpm of cadence decline corresponded to a 0.61% increase in cardiovascular drift. The correlation between cadence decline and aerobic decoupling was also significant (r = 0.38, p = 0.001) and the regression analysis shows that each additional rpm of cadence decline corresponds to a 0.58% increase in aerobic decoupling (b = 0.58, p = 0.007). Conclusion: These findings suggest that cadence decline is linked to both, cardiovascular and mechanical manifestations of acute fatigue. In practice, cadence monitoring offers a simple, non-invasive and widely accessible method of tracking fatigue. Moreover, it allows the design of training plans incorporating cadence-strategies and providing real-time feedback when cardiovascular strain may impair performance.
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Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Barsumyan, A., Soost, C., Graw, J.A., & Burchard, R. (2026). The relationship between cadence decline, cardiovascular drift and aerobic decoupling as a marker of fatigue in well trained cyclists. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-026-01678-w
MLA:
Barsumyan, Artur, et al. "The relationship between cadence decline, cardiovascular drift and aerobic decoupling as a marker of fatigue in well trained cyclists." BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation 18.1 (2026).
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