Tandem cycling: mismatched athletes can train together

Mismatched fitness levels? Try a tandem

Consider this scenario: a fit, active man wants to work out regularly with his less fit, less active female partner, who will inevitably become discouraged if she can’t keep up. How can their differing needs be reconciled? By tandem cycling, of course, say the authors of a US study comparing the physiological effects of cycling on tandem and single bicycles.

However, as the researchers point out, ‘Even with this rise in popularity, very little is known about the basic physiological responses when cycling on a tandem’. Their study was carried out to fill that gap in knowledge.

Nine pairs of experienced recreational tandem cyclists, consisting of male ‘captains’ (front position) and female ‘stokers’ (rear) rode for five-minute intervals at four different velocities on a tandem or single bike on a flat paved surface in one trial, switching conditions for a second trial. Measurements of heart rate, rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and lactic acid were collected after each interval.

Key results were as follows:

• Stokers demonstrated significantly lower physiological stress cycling on the tandem than on the single bike, with heart rates 16-22% lower and lactic acid levels 23-70% lower over the four velocities;
• By contrast, no such differences were observed between trials for the captains;
• When riding single bicycles, captains exhibited significantly lower HR, RPE and LA values than stokers;
• Cyclists were able to ride from 4.8-8 kph faster on a tandem than a single bike at similar levels of physiological stress.

The researchers comment that, when riding on a single bicycle with a stronger rider, a weaker rider is often pushed beyond his/her capabilities and may be dropped from a group due to fatigue. A tandem allows both cyclists, regardless of fitness levels, to cycle together at different intensities and still exercise at a relative level needed for fitness improvement.

These findings, they point out, may have implications for fitness adherence, since other research has shown that people are more likely to maintain an exercise programme if they exercise with someone else or in a group than if they work out by themselves.

‘In conclusion, recreational cyclists, specifically the stoker, exhibited lower physiological stress when bicycling on a tandem compared to a single bicycle…In practical terms, when physiological stress was comparable between bicycles, cyclists were able to cycle from 4.8 to 8.0kph faster on a tandem than when they cycled individually on a single bicycle. Apparently, stokers can add to power output without adding a significant amount of wind resistance.

‘Thus, tandem cycling may allow individuals of mismatched fitness levels to cycle together with both individuals gaining exercise benefits because they can cycle at different workloads.’

Br J Sports Med, vol 37, pp50-53, 2003