Originally Posted by
Bacciagalupe
You mean, partially quoting from the abstract. I explicitly stated that this study showed an increase in watts -- but no changes in velocity. The very next line reads:
"In contrast, the maximal extrapolated velocity, V0 and peak velocity were not significantly improved by the use of toe clips. The comparison of the angle-torque patterns at low and high velocities suggested that the kinetic energy of the legs can be transformed into power output when cycling without toe clips as well as it can when cycling with toe clips." (Emphasis added)
Again, I haven't read the article, so I cannot clarify this apparent conflict.
I think what they are missing, is that if you concentrate on pulling up with one leg, you can't effectively use the full force of the other leg which is in the downstroke- so the little power you gain in the upstroke, is lost in the other leg which is in the downstroke.