Patterns of leg muscle recruitment vary between novice and highly trained cyclists

This study compared patterns of leg muscle recruitment and coactivation, and the relationship between muscle recruitment, coactivation and cadence, in novice and highly trained cyclists. Electromyographic (EMG) activity of tibialis anterior (TA), tibialis posterior (TP), peroneus longus (PL), gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) and soleus (SOL) was recorded using intramuscular fine-wire electrodes. Four experimental conditions of varying cadence were investigated. Differences were evident between novice and highly trained cyclists in the recruitment of all muscles. Novice cyclists were characterized by greater individual variance, greater population variance, more extensive and more variable muscle coactivation, and greater EMG amplitude in periods between primary EMG bursts. Peak EMG amplitude increased linearly with cadence and was not different at individual preferred cadence in either novice or highly trained cyclists. However, EMG amplitude in periods between primary EMG bursts, as well as the duration of primary EMG bursts, increased with increasing cadence in novice cyclists but were not influenced by cadence in highly trained cyclists. Our findings suggest that muscle recruitment is highly skilled in highly trained cyclists and less refined in novice cyclists. More skilled muscle recruitment in highly trained cyclists is likely a result of neuromuscular adaptations due to repeated performance of the cycling movement in training and competition.     

Characterization of Course and Terrain and Their Effect on Skier Speed in World Cup Alpine Ski Racing

World Cup (WC) alpine ski racing consists of four main competition disciplines (slalom, giant slalom, super-G and downhill), each with specific course and terrain characteristics. The International Ski Federation (FIS) has regulated course length, altitude drop from start to finish and course setting in order to specify the characteristics of the respective competition disciplines and to control performance and injury-related aspects. However to date, no detailed data on course setting and its adaptation to terrain is available. It is also unknown how course and terrain characteristics influence skier speed. Therefore, the aim of the study was to characterize course setting, terrain geomorphology and their relationship to speed in male WC giant slalom, super-G and downhill. The study revealed that terrain was flatter in downhill compared to the other disciplines. In all disciplines, variability in horizontal gate distance (gate offset) was larger than in gate distance (linear distance from gate to gate). In giant slalom the horizontal gate distance increased with terrain inclination, while super-G and downhill did not show such a connection. In giant slalom and super-G, there was a slight trend towards shorter gate distances as the steepness of the terrain increased. Gates were usually set close to terrain transitions in all three disciplines. Downhill had a larger proportion of extreme terrain inclination changes along the skier trajectory per unit time skiing than the other disciplines. Skier speed decreased with increasing steepness of terrain in all disciplines except for downhill. In steep terrain, speed was found to be controllable by increased horizontal gate distances in giant slalom and by shorter gate distances in giant slalom and super-G. Across the disciplines skier speed was largely explained by course setting and terrain inclination in a multiple linear model.     

Muscular activity during uphill cycling: effect of slope, posture, hand grip position and constrained bicycle lateral sways.

Despite the wide use of surface electromyography (EMG) to study pedalling movement, there is a paucity of data concerning the muscular activity during uphill cycling, notably in standing posture. The aim of this study was to investigate the muscular activity of eight lower limb muscles and four upper limb muscles across various laboratory pedalling exercises which simulated uphill cycling conditions. Ten trained cyclists rode at 80% of their maximal aerobic power on an inclined motorised treadmill (4%, 7% and 10%) with using two pedalling postures (seated and standing). Two additional rides were made in standing at 4% slope to test the effect of the change of the hand grip position (from brake levers to the drops of the handlebar), and the influence of the lateral sways of the bicycle. For this last goal, the bicycle was fixed on a stationary ergometer to prevent the lean of the bicycle side-to-side. EMG was recorded from M. gluteus maximus (GM), M. vastus medialis (VM), M. rectus femoris (RF), M. biceps femoris (BF), M. semimembranosus (SM), M. gastrocnemius medialis (GAS), M. soleus (SOL), M. tibialis anterior (TA), M. biceps brachii (BB), M. triceps brachii (TB), M. rectus abdominis (RA) and M. erector spinae (ES). Unlike the slope, the change of pedalling posture in uphill cycling had a significant effect on the EMG activity, except for the three muscles crossing the ankle's joint (GAS, SOL and TA). Intensity and duration of GM, VM, RF, BF, BB, TA, RA and ES activity were greater in standing while SM activity showed a slight decrease. In standing, global activity of upper limb was higher when the hand grip position was changed from brake level to the drops, but lower when the lateral sways of the bicycle were constrained. These results seem to be related to (1) the increase of the peak pedal force, (2) the change of the hip and knee joint moments, (3) the need to stabilize pelvic in reference with removing the saddle support, and (4) the shift of the mass centre forward.     

Modification of the spontaneous seat-to-stand transition in cycling with bodyweight and cadence variations

When a high power output is required in cycling, a spontaneous transition by the cyclist from a seated to a standing position generally occurs. In this study, by varying the cadence and cyclist bodyweight, we tested whether the transition is better explained by the greater power economy of a standing position or by the emergence of mechanical constraints that force cyclists to stand.Ten males participated in five experimental sessions corresponding to different bodyweights (80%, 100%, or 120%) and cadences (50 RPM, 70 RPM, or 90 RPM). In each session, we first determined the seat-to-stand transition power (SSTP) in an incremental test. The participants then cycled at 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 100%, or 120% of the SSTP in the seated and standing positions, for which we recorded the saddle forces and electromyogram (EMG) signals of eight lower limb muscles. We estimated the cycling cost using an EMG cost function (ECF) and the minimal saddle forces in the seated position as an indicator of the mechanical constraints.Our results show the SSTP to vary with respect to both cadence and bodyweight. The ECF was lower in the standing position above the SSTP value (i.e., at 120%) in all experimental sessions. The minimal saddle forces varied significantly with respect to both cadence and bodyweight.These results suggest that optimization of the muscular cost function, rather than mechanical constraints, explain the seat-to-stand transition in cycling.     

基于模拟降雨试验的喀斯特坡耕地土壤侵蚀特征

探索喀斯特坡耕地土壤侵蚀过程及机理对该区水土流失及石漠化治理具有重要的现实和指导意义.本文采用人工模拟降雨的试验方法,探索喀斯特坡耕地土壤侵蚀过程及特征.结果表明: 降雨强度较小时(30、50 mm·h^-1),水土流失以地下孔(裂)隙流失为主,当降雨强度较大时(80 mm·h^-1),土壤侵蚀以地表流失为主;地表径流模数和输沙率均随坡度的增加而增大,随孔(裂)隙度的增加而减小.地下径流模数在0.37～0.52 L·m^-2·min^-1,地下输沙率在0.81～1.93 g·min^-1,二者均随坡度的增加而减小,随降雨强度的增加呈先增大后减小的变化趋势.     

Adjusted saddle position counteracts the modified muscle activation patterns during uphill cycling

The main aim of this project was to study muscle activity patterns during steep uphill cycling (UC) (i.e., with a gradient of 20%) with (1) normal saddle geometry and (2) with adjusted saddle position ASP (i.e., moving the saddle forward and changing the tilt of the saddle by 20%). Based on our preliminary case study, we hypothesized that: (1) during 20% UC muscle activity patterns would be different from those of level cycling (LC) and (2) during 20% UC with ASP muscle activity patterns would resemble those of LC. Twelve trained male cyclists were tested on an electromagnetically braked cycle ergometer under three conditions with the same work rate (80% of maximal power output) and cadence (90 rpm): level (LC), 20% UC and 20% UC with ASP. Electromyographic signals were acquired from m. tibialis anterior (TA), m. soleus (SO), m. gastrocnemius (GC), m. vastus lateralis (VL), m. vastus medialis (VM), m. rectus femoris (RF), m. biceps femoris (BF) and m. gluteus maximus (GM). Compared to LC, 20% UC significantly modified both the timing and the intensity of activity of the selected muscles, while muscles that cross the hip joint were the most affected (RF later onset, earlier offset, shorter range of activity and decrease in peak amplitude of 34%; BF longer range of activity; GM increase in peak amplitude of 44%). These changes in EMG patterns during 20% UC were successfully counteracted by the use of ASP and it was interesting to observe that the use of ASP during 20% UC was perceived positively by all cyclists regarding both comfort and performance. These results could have a practical relevance in terms of improving performance during UC, together with reducing discomfort.     

Reduced neuromuscular activity and force generation during prolonged cycling

We examined neuromuscular activity during stochastic (variable intensity) 100-km cycling time trials (TT) and the effect of dietary carbohydrate manipulation. Seven endurance-trained cyclists performed two 100-km TT that included five 1-km and four 4-km high-intensity epochs (HIE) during which power output, electromyogram (EMG), and muscle glycogen data were analyzed. The mean power output of the 4-km HIE decreased significantly throughout the trial from 319 +/- 48 W for the first 4-km HIE to 278 +/- 39 W for the last 4-km HIE (P < 0.01). The mean integrated EMG (IEMG) activity during the first 4-km HIE was 16.4 +/- 9.8% of the value attained during the pretrial maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). IEMG decreased significantly throughout the trial, reaching 11.1 +/- 5.6% during the last 4-km HIE (P < 0.01). The study establishes that neuromuscular activity in peripheral skeletal muscle falls parallel with reduction in power output during bouts of high-intensity exercise. These changes occurred when <20% of available muscle was recruited and suggest the presence of a central neural governor that reduces the active muscle recruited during prolonged exercise.     

Aerodynamics of cyclist posture, bicycle and helmet characteristics in time trial stage

The present work is focused on the aerodynamic study of different parameters, including both the posture of a cyclist's upper limbs and the saddle position, in time trial (TT) stages. The aerodynamic influence of a TT helmet large visor is also quantified as a function of the helmet inclination. Experiments conducted in a wind tunnel on nine professional cyclists provided drag force and frontal area measurements to determine the drag force coefficient. Data statistical analysis clearly shows that the hands positioning on shifters and the elbows joined together are significantly reducing the cyclist drag force. Concerning the saddle position, the drag force is shown to be significantly increased (about 3%) when the saddle is raised. The usual helmet inclination appears to be the inclination value minimizing the drag force. Moreover, the addition of a large visor on the helmet is shown to provide a drag coefficient reduction as a function of the helmet inclination. Present results indicate that variations in the TT cyclist posture, the saddle position and the helmet visor can produce a significant gain in time (up to 2.2%) during stages.     

Relationship between skin temperature and muscle activation during incremental cycle exercise

While different studies showed that better fitness level adds to the efficiency of the thermoregulatory system, the relationship between muscular effort and skin temperature is still unknown. Therefore, the present study assessed the relationship between neuromuscular activation and skin temperature during cycle exercise. Ten physically active participants performed an incremental workload cycling test to exhaustion while neuromuscular activations were recorded (via surface electromyography – EMG) from rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris and gastrocnemius medialis. Thermographic images were recorded before, immediately after and 10 min after finishing the cycling test, at four body regions of interest corresponding to the muscles where neuromuscular activations were monitored. Frequency band analysis was conducted to assess spectral properties of EMG signals in order to infer on priority in recruitment of motor units. Significant inverse relationship between changes in skin temperature and changes in overall neuromuscular activation for vastus lateralis was observed (r<−0.5 and p<0.04). Significant positive relationship was observed between skin temperature and low frequency components of neuromuscular activation from vastus lateralis (r>0.7 and p<0.01). Participants with larger overall activation and reduced low frequency component for vastus lateralis activation presented a better adaptive response of their thermoregulatory system by showing fewer changes in skin temperature after incremental cycling test.     

Abdominal muscle activation changes if the purpose is to control pelvis motion or thorax motion

The aim of this study was to compare trunk muscular recruitment and lumbar spine kinematics when motion was constrained to either the thorax or the pelvis. Nine healthy women performed four upright standing planar movements (rotations, anterior–posterior translations, medial–lateral translations, and horizontal circles) while constraining pelvis motion and moving the thorax or moving the pelvis while minimizing thorax motion, and four isometric trunk exercises (conventional curl-up, reverse curl-up, cross curl-up, and reverse cross curl-up). Surface EMG (upper and lower rectus abdominis, lateral and medial aspects of external oblique, internal oblique, and latissimus dorsi) and 3D lumbar displacements were recorded. Pelvis movements produced higher EMG amplitudes of the oblique abdominals than thorax motions in most trials, and larger lumbar displacements in the medial–lateral translations and horizontal circles. Conversely, thorax movements produced larger rotational lumbar displacement than pelvis motions during rotations and higher EMG amplitudes for latissimus dorsi during rotations and anterior–posterior translations and for lower rectus abdominis during the crossed curl-ups. Thus, different neuromuscular compartments appear when the objective changes from pelvis to thorax motion. This would suggest that both movement patterns should be considered when planning spine stabilization programs, to optimize exercises for the movement and muscle activations desired.     

秦岭中段不同坡向锐齿栎种子雨、土壤种子库与幼苗更新

以秦岭中段不同坡向(阳坡、半阳坡、半阴坡及阴坡)锐齿栎天然林为对象,对锐齿栎种子雨、种子库的数量、质量动态以及幼苗发育过程进行研究.结果表明: 锐齿栎种子雨一般从8月中旬开始,9月中下旬到10月上旬达到高峰期,11月中上旬结束;不同坡向的种子雨降落历程、发生时间和组成不同;半阳坡种子雨强度最大,为134.13粒·m^-2,其余大小依次为阳坡、半阴坡、阴坡;阳坡种子雨降落时间最早、持续时间最长,高峰期持续时间也最长,阴坡种子雨降落时间最晚、持续时间最短,高峰期持续时间也最短;种子活力及成熟种子占其种子雨的比例大小顺序为半阳坡>阳坡>半阴坡>阴坡.从种子雨降落结束到翌年8月,各坡向土壤种子库总储量大小顺序均为半阳坡>阳坡>半阴坡>阴坡;各坡向的土壤种子库中成熟、未成熟、被啃食种子数量和种子活力均随时间变化呈递减趋势,而霉烂种子数量增加;各坡向土壤种子库中的种子均主要集中在枯落物层,其次为0~2 cm土层,而在2~5 cm土层中只有极少量种子存在.4种坡向中锐齿栎幼苗的密度差异显著,半阳坡幼苗最多,其余依次是阳坡、半阴坡和阴坡.半阳坡更适合锐齿栎种子的萌发和幼苗生长.     

A maximal isokinetic pedalling exercise for EMG normalization in cycling

An isometric maximal voluntary contraction (iMVC) is mostly used for the purpose of EMG normalization, a procedure described in the scientific literature in order to compare muscle activity among different muscles and subjects. However, the use of iMVC has certain limitations. The aims of the present study were therefore to propose a new method for the purpose of EMG amplitude normalization in cycling and assess its reliability. Twenty-three cyclists performed 10 trials of a maximal isokinetic protocol (MIP) on a cycle ergometer, then another four sub-maximal trials, whilst the EMG activity of four lower limbs muscles was registered. During the 10 trials power output (CV = 2.19) and EMG activity (CV between 4.46 and 8.70) were quite steady. Furthermore, their maximal values were reached within the 4th trial. In sub-maximal protocol EMG activity exhibited an increase as a function of exercise intensity.MIP entails a maximal dynamic contraction of the muscles involved in the pedalling action and the normalization session is performed under the same biomechanical conditions as the following test session. Thus, it is highly cycling-specific.MIP has good logical validity and within-subject reproducibility. Three trials are enough for the purpose of EMG normalization in cycling.     

桂西北喀斯特坡地土壤137Cs的剖面分布特征及其指示意义

分析了¹³⁷Cs及土壤有机碳（SOC）在桂西北典型峰丛坡地及岩溶裂隙中的剖面分布特征,探讨了¹³⁷Cs方法在喀斯特坡地的适用性及其指示的坡面土壤侵蚀特征.结果表明：所有剖面¹³⁷Cs与SOC均显著相关,两者可能有相同的流失途径;次生林坡地¹³⁷Cs主体分布深度在24 cm以内,中上及中坡剖面随深度呈指数递减分布,地表无侵蚀或侵蚀轻微,坡脚剖面呈较严重侵蚀形态;坡耕地剖面¹³⁷Cs在耕层内均匀分布,中上坡及中坡主体分布深度在15 cm左右,面积活度远低于背景值,土壤侵蚀剧烈,坡脚分布深度至45 cm,呈堆积形态;次生林坡脚剖面、耕地中上坡剖面及所有裂隙剖面,¹³⁷Cs在主体分布深度以下有断续极微量的分布,指示了喀斯特坡地土壤颗粒有随降雨沿地表负地形向地下流失的趋势,但流失量轻微.     

Sitting on a Sloping Seat Does Not Reduce the Strain Sustained by the Postural Chain

The objective of this study was to explore the effect of a forward sloping seat on posture and muscular activity of the trunk and lower limbs. To this aim, twelve asymptomatic participants were tested in six conditions varying seat slope (0°, 15° forward) and height (high, medium, low). Angular position of head, trunk and pelvis was assessed with an inertial orientation system, and muscular activity of 11 superficial postural muscles located in the trunk and lower limbs was estimated using normalized EMG. Results showed that a forward sloping seat, compared to a flat seat, induced a greater activity of the soleus (p<0.01), vastus lateralis (p<0.05) and vastus medialis (p<0.05), as well a lower hip flexion (p<0.01). In contrast, no significant variation of head, trunk and pelvis angular position was observed according to seat slope. It was concluded that forward sloping seats increase the load sustained by the lower limbs, without a systematic improvement of body posture.     

A kinematic comparison of alterations to knee and ankle angles from resting measures to active pedaling during a graded exercise protocol

ABSTRACT: Peveler, WW, Shew, B, Johnson, S, and Palmer, TG. A kinematic comparison of alterations to knee and ankle angles from resting measures to active pedaling during a graded exercise protocol. J Strength Cond Res 26(11): 3004-3009, 2012-Saddle height is one of the most researched areas of bike fit. The current accepted method for adjusting saddle height involves the use of a goniometer to adjust saddle height so that a knee angle between 25° and 35° is obtained. This measurement is taken while the cyclist maintains a static position with the pedal at the 6-o'-clock position. However, the act of pedaling is dynamic, and angles may alter during movement. The purpose of this study was to examine the alterations to knee and ankle angle occurring from static measures to active pedaling across intensities experienced by cyclists during a graded exercise protocol. Thirty-four recreational to highly trained cyclists were evaluated using 2D analysis of stationary position and 3 active levels (level 1, respiratory exchange ratio of 1.00, and max). Dependent measures were compared using repeated measures analysis of variance (p = 0.05). When examining the results, it is evident that significant alterations to pedal stroke occur from stationary measures to active pedaling and as intensity increases toward maximal. Plantar flexion increased when moving from stationary measures to active pedaling, which resulted in an increase in knee angle. Although still greater than stationary measures, less plantar flexion occurred at higher intensities when compared with lower intensity cycling. Less plantar flexion at higher intensities is most likely a result of application of a larger downward torque occurring because of greater power requirements at higher intensities. There appeared to be greater variability in angle when examining novice cyclists in relation to more experienced cyclists. Although stationary measures are where a bike fit session will begin, observation during the pedal cycle may be needed to fine-tune the riders' fit.     

Muscle coordination in cycling: effect of surface incline and posture

The purpose of the present study was to examine theneuromuscular modifications of cyclists to changes in grade andposture. Eight subjects were tested on a computerized ergometer underthree conditions with the same work rate (250 W): pedaling on the level while seated, 8% uphill while seated, and 8% uphill while standing (ST). High-speed video was taken in conjunction with surfaceelectromyography (EMG) of six lower extremity muscles. Results showedthat rectus femoris, gluteus maximus (GM), and tibialis anterior hadgreater EMG magnitude in the ST condition. GM, rectus femoris, and the vastus lateralis demonstrated activity over a greater portion of thecrank cycle in the ST condition. The muscle activities of gastrocnemiusand biceps femoris did not exhibit profound differences amongconditions. Overall, the change of cycling grade alone from 0 to 8%did not induce a significant change in neuromuscular coordination. However, the postural change from seated to ST pedaling at 8% uphillgrade was accompanied by increased and/or prolonged muscle activity of hip and knee extensors. The observed EMG activity patternswere discussed with respect to lower extremity joint moments.Monoarticular extensor muscles (GM, vastus lateralis) demonstratedgreater modifications in activity patterns with the change in posturecompared with their biarticular counterparts. Furthermore, musclecoordination among antagonist pairs of mono- and biarticular muscleswas altered in the ST condition; this finding provides support for thenotion that muscles within these antagonist pairs have differentfunctions.

     

Time–frequency and principal-component methods for the analysis of EMGs recorded during a mildly fatiguing exercise on a cycle ergometer

Electromyographic signals contain the information on muscle activity and have to be frequently averaged, compared, classified or details need to be extracted. A time–frequency analysis, based on wavelets, was previously presented. The analysis transformed an EMG signal into an EMG-intensity-pattern showing the intensities at any point in time for the frequencies filtered out by the wavelets. The purpose of the present study was:

1. to define and apply a new EMG-pattern-space for the analysis of EMG-intensity-patterns; and

2. to determine the variation of EMG-intensity-patterns while getting mildly fatigued by cycling on a cycle-ergometer.

The coordinates spanning the pattern space were principal components of the measured EMG-intensity-patterns. A point in pattern-space thus represented an EMG-intensity-pattern. Fatigue resulted in points moving along a line in pattern space. The line was characterized by an intercept at time 0 and a slope. Thus mild fatigue caused a shift from an initial intensity-pattern representing the intercept to a final intensity-pattern adding gradually larger amounts of the pattern representing the slope. The intensity-pattern of the slope revealed the physiologically important individual strategies for coping with mild fatigue. Changes were observed at different times and at different frequencies during the cycling movement.     

Effects of saddle height on anaerobic power production in cycling

In competitive cycling, setting the proper saddle height is important for both performance and injury prevention. This is also true for ergometer use in a laboratory. The cycling literature recommends using a 25 to 35 degrees knee angle to set saddle height for injury prevention and recommends using 109% of inseam length for optimal performance. Prior research has demonstrated that these 2 methods do not produce similar saddle heights. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a difference in performance between these 2 methods. Trained cyclists (n = 9) and noncyclists (n = 18) participated in this study. Anaerobic power production was compared using a 30s Wingate protocol at a saddle height of 109% of inseam and at 25 and 35 degrees knee angles. Saddle height set using 109% of inseam fell outside the recommended 25 to 35 degrees knee angle 63% of the time. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) for peak power and mean power in either group between saddle heights. The data when using 109% to set saddle height were then divided into those that fell within the recommended 25 to 35 degrees knee angle and those that fell outside. A 25 degrees knee angle produced a significantly higher mean power compared with 109% in those that fell outside the recommended range. An increase in power, at a 25 degrees angle, can be extrapolated to increased performance. There was no difference in performance detected in those individuals who fell within the recommended range. For this reason it is recommended that saddle height for cycles and ergometers be set using a 25 to 35 degrees knee angle for both trained and untrained cyclists for both injury prevention and increased performance.     

黄土丘陵沟壑区黄土坡面侵蚀过程及其影响因素

降雨强度、坡长、坡度是影响坡面产流产沙的重要因素。为定量分析降雨强度、坡长、坡度对黄土丘陵沟壑区安塞黄土坡面侵蚀过程的影响,本研究基于室内人工模拟降雨试验,分析2个坡长(5、10 m)、3个坡度(5°、10°、15°)、2个降雨强度(60、90 mm·h^-1)下安塞黄土坡面产流产沙规律。结果表明: 初始产流时间随坡长增加呈减小趋势,但总体变化不大;初始产流时间随降雨强度增加而减小,与60 mm·h^-1相比,90 mm·h^-1下缩短5.7～18 min;10°坡度上的径流起始时间最快。随降雨历时延长,产流率先快速增加,最终逐渐稳定在某一产流率值上下波动;产沙率在产流初期短时间内突然升高,达到最大值后减小,再逐渐达到稳定。产流率和产沙率随坡长和降雨强度的增加而增加,但随坡度变化规律不明显。随着降雨强度、坡长和坡度的增加,总产沙量相应增加。在降雨强度90 mm·h^-1时,坡长和坡度分别为10 m和15°的坡面产生了细沟,导致总侵蚀量最大(11885.66 g)。降雨强度为60 mm·h^-1时,随着坡长增加单位面积侵蚀量减小,在5～10 m坡段存在临界侵蚀坡长。坡长、坡度和降雨强度对坡面径流过程均有促进作用,降雨强度、坡长和两者之间交互作用对产流率和总侵蚀量的贡献率较大,其中,对产流率贡献最大的影响因素是降雨强度,贡献率为49.8%;坡长对总侵蚀的贡献率最大,为37.8%。     

水蚀风蚀交错区退耕坡面植被利用对产流产沙的影响

为有效利用水蚀风蚀交错区退耕封育坡面植被,确定合理的植被利用强度非常必要.本试验选取黄土高原水蚀风蚀交错区典型小流域——六道沟小流域为试验区,在多年退耕封育坡面布设径流小区,通过人工模拟降雨试验,研究植被地上部分在不同利用强度下各坡度(10°、20°和30°)坡面产流、产沙变化特征,以确定合理的利用强度. 结果表明: 次降雨过程中径流速率大体可分为两个阶段:初期迅速增长阶段和中后期增长变缓或趋于准稳定阶段.侵蚀速率的变化趋势因坡度的不同而略有差异.利用强度对产流量有显著影响,产流量随利用强度的加强而增加.坡度对侵蚀量影响显著,侵蚀量表现为20°坡面＞30°坡面＞10°坡面.以植被地上部分未利用小区为对照,相对增水量和相对增沙量均随利用强度加强而增加.结合降雨资料推测,退耕15年左右坡面植被地上部分盖度达到25%时,坡面年土壤侵蚀量基本低于容许土壤流失量.应重视该区20°坡面植被的恢复治理工作.