Fitness Testing using Cycling

There is a range of fitness tests using cycling as the primary exercise mode. Such tests are not just for fitness testing cycling athletes. The cycle ergometer or bicycle is a non-weight bearing mode of exercise that is suitable for many fitness tests and athletes. Here is a list of both maximal and submaximal aerobic tests using cycling exercise mode, as well as leg strength and power tests.

Aerobic Cycling Tests

• Cycling Maximal Oxygen Consumption Test (VO_2max) — a maximal exercise test to measure VO2max while riding a cycle ergometer.
• Astrand-Rhyming Bicycle Ergometer Test — a submaximal aerobic fitness test on a cycle ergometer.
• YMCA Cycle ergometer submaximal test — a submaximal aerobic fitness test on a cycle ergometer.
• PWC₁₇₀ Test — - a submaximal aerobic fitness test on a cycle ergometer.
• Tri-level aerobic test — a submaximal aerobic fitness test on a cycle ergometer.
• 2km time trial — a set distance cycling endurance test.
• 12-minute cycling test — cycle for maximum distance in 12 minutes.
• 5km cycle ergometer test — 5000m in the shortest possible time.

VO2max cycling test

Anaerobic Cycling Tests

• 10 & 30-second tri-level cycle test of leg power.
• Wingate Cycle Test — a cycle test of anaerobic leg power, maximal effort over 30 seconds.
• 40 m cycle sprint — maximal cycling speed test.
• Cycling Repeat Sprint Test — a cycle test of anaerobic capacity, involving 5 x 6 second efforts.