Abstract
BackgroundWe have developed an exercise machine prototype for increasing exercise intensity by means of passively exercising lower limb muscles. The purpose of the present study was to compare the passive exercise intensity of our newly-developed machine with the intensities of different types of exercises. We also attempted to measure muscle activity to study how these forms of exercise affected individual parts of the body.MethodsSubjects were 14 healthy men with the following demographics: age 30 years, height 171.5 cm, weight 68.3 kg. They performed 4 types of exercise: Passive weight-bearing lower limb exercise (PWLLE), Simulated horse riding exercise (SHRE), Bicycle exercise, and Walking exercise, as described below at an interval of one week or longer. Oxygen uptake, blood pressure, heart rate, and electromyogram (EMG) were measured or recorded during exercise. At rest prior to exercise and immediately after the end of each exercise intensity, the oxygenated hemoglobin levels of the lower limb muscles were measured by near-infrared spectroscopy to calculate the rate of decline. This rate of decline was obtained immediately after exercise as well as at rest to calculate oxygen consumption of the lower limb muscles as expressed as a ratio of a post-exercise rate of decline to a resting one.ResultsThe heart rate and oxygen uptake observed in PWLLE during maximal intensity were comparable to that of a 20-watt bicycle exercise or 2 km/hr walking exercise. Maximal intensity PWLLE was found to provoke muscle activity comparable to an 80-watt bicycle or 6 km/hr walking exercise. As was the case with the EMG results, during maximal intensity PWLLE, the rectus femoris muscle consumed oxygen in amounts identical to that of an 80-watt bicycle or a 6 km/hr walking exercise.ConclusionPassive weight-bearing lower limb exercise using our trial machine could provide approximately 3 MET of exercise and the thigh exhibited muscle activity equivalent to that of 80-watt bicycle or 6 km/hr walking exercise. Namely, given the same oxygen uptake, PWLLE exceeded bicycle or walking exercise in muscle activity, thus PWLLE is believed to strengthen muscle power while reducing the load imposed on the cardiopulmonary system.
Highlights
We have developed an exercise machine prototype for increasing exercise intensity by means of passively exercising lower limb muscles
It is widely recognized that appropriate exercise is effective for health promotion and prevents lifestyle-related diseases
Cycling and walking are conducted as popular forms of exercise for health promotion
Summary
We have developed an exercise machine prototype for increasing exercise intensity by means of passively exercising lower limb muscles. The purpose of the present study was to compare the passive exercise intensity of our newly-developed machine with the intensities of different types of exercises. It is widely recognized that appropriate exercise is effective for health promotion and prevents lifestyle-related diseases. Cycling and walking are conducted as popular forms of exercise for health promotion. Some randomized-control trials showed that lifestyle modification has almost the same effects on aerobic capacity, body composition, and coronary risk factors as planned exercise programs for people who do not conduct daily exercise [1,2]. For health promotion, people should be encouraged to increase daily physical activity levels including frequency, intensity, duration, and exercise type, irrespective of training plans. Most patients with dyslipidemia, impaired glucose tolerance, or hypertension in need of exercise have symptoms such as gonalgia and lumbago that may discourage them from exercising, so they are prevented from practicing effective exercise
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