Chronic Eccentric Cycling Training Improves Walking Economy in Healthy Individuals

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackground: Low muscular strength is associated with decline in ambulatory function. Progressive strength training has been demonstrated to improve physical functional outcomes. Because eccentric exercise is a potent stimulus for increasing muscle size, strength, and power, it has the potential to serve as a time-effective intervention to improve ambulatory function at a lower metabolic cost compared with traditional strength training. We examined the effect of a 6-week eccentric cycling training intervention on walking economy in healthy individuals.Methods: Eleven healthy individuals (age = 24 ± 3 years; body weight = 71 ± 9 kg; height = 1.7 ± 0.1 m) trained on an eccentric ergometer for 6 weeks (3×/week; 10–30 min; 54%–66% of maximum heart rate). The metabolic cost of walking was assessed 1 week prior to and 1 week following eccentric cycling training. Cost of walking was determined as the net energy cost (J·kg−1·s−1), divided by walking speed (m·s−1) during steady-state walking at 5 walking speeds (0.7, 1.11, 1.39, 1.67, and 1.9 m·s−1)Results: Posttraining cost of walking was significantly improved across all 5 walking speeds (0.7, 1.11, 1.39, 1.67, and 1.9 m·s−1; all P < 0.01) following eccentric cycling training.Conclusion: These results demonstrate that 6 weeks of chronic eccentric cycling training was effective in improving walking economy and can be safely administered and tolerated by healthy individuals. Enhancing ambulatory function through eccentric cycling ergometry would be beneficial for both athletic and mobility-limited populations.