After increasing resistance during a seated sprint, what should an instructor cue next?

The appropriate cue after increasing resistance during a seated sprint is to encourage the participants to begin to burst out of the saddle. This is because increasing resistance during a sprint typically requires the rider to engage more muscle groups and generate more power. Standing up allows for better engagement of the legs and core, facilitating an effective transition from seated to standing.

The action of bursting out of the saddle also adds intensity to the workout, which is essential in a sprint segment. It encourages participants to utilize their body weight to drive the pedal stroke and can enhance performance by allowing for a more powerful push against the increased resistance. This movement aligns with the dynamics of group cycling, where instructors often aim to create a sense of urgency and energy during high-intensity intervals.

Maintaining a steady cadence, changing to low resistance, or reducing cadence are not the most effective next steps following an increase in resistance during a sprint. These options do not leverage the physical changes needed to adapt to the increased demand while the participants are already challenged by the higher resistance. Instead, transitioning to a standing position promotes a more powerful and effective response to the increased resistance.