The feasibility of the windload simulator as an alternative to on-road training

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the ability of a windload simulator to reproduce the resistive forces faced by a cyclist during on-road training. The simulator consisted of a mul- tivaned fan enclosed in a ported housing. The levd of resistance could be augmented by increasing the port opening. The oxygen consumption (VO₂) of five healthy male subjects was measured under steady state conditions at speeds of 16.1,24.1 and 32.2 km per hour at three intake port openings (1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 open) for each speed. The results were compared to previously reported predicted and actual on-road oxygen consumption values. Two- way ANOVA showed that increases in speed and opening elicited significant increases in VO₂; and a significant interaction existed between speed and opening. Post hoc comparisons of VO₂showed all speeds and openings to be different (p < 0.05). When compared with previously reported on-road values, the resistance settings on the windload simulator showed the ability to produce differing levels of VO₂within the ranges of those encountered during on-road training. The results indicate that the windload trainer can accurately reproduce resistive forces within the range of actual on-road training.