Sports science definitions and cycle coaching and training terminology

C

Cadence

Revolutions or cycles per minute of the pedal stroke. Can also be used with running stride and swim stroke.

Capillary

The smallest of the body's blood vessels. Capillaries are responsible for delivering oxygenated blood to individual cells, in particular they are vital to the delivery of oxygen to the working muscles during exercise.

Critical Power (CP)

The power you can sustain theoretically indefinitely, but in practice, an intensity approximating an effort you could hold for 20 to 40 minutes. In a mathematical sense, it is the asymptote of the relationship between power output and time you can hold that power.

Cross Training

Training for more than one sport during the same period of time.