Muscle Oxygenation during Seated and Standing Wingate Tests

Abstract

While most of the time cyclists remain seated during races and training, during climbs and sprints, cyclists will rise out of their seat and more or less stand while cycling. This standing position would seem to allow the cyclist to produce more force, and may also enhance blood circulation through the leg and thus also muscle oxygenation. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a difference in muscle oxygenation during maximal seated and standing cycling exercise. METHODS: Elite level speed skaters (n= 7; males = 6, females = 1) performed 30 sec Wingate tests in both a standing and a seated position. Measures of muscle oxygenation (InSpectra, Hutchinson Technology, Inc) of both the right and left vastus lateralis muscles and power (SMI Power 5.2) were obtained throughout both tests. The tests were performed in random order during a training camp with one day separating the two Wingate tests, during which all subjects completed other exercise tests. All of the subjects had performed a Wingate test prior to this training camp. RESULTS: Peak power output between the two tests was similar at 1060 + 232 W and 945 + 204 W for seated and standing, respectively. At the end of the exercise muscle oxygenation (expressed as a percentage) was similar for the seated and standing conditions as well as for the left and right vastus lateralis muscles (Seated L = 11.9 + 12.5%, Seated R = 24.3 + 20.8%, Standing R = 19.5 + 20.0%, Standing L = 12.5 + 16.4%). Time to recovery was also similar for muscle oxygenation following the two bouts of exercise (Seated L = 2.42+ 1.08 min, Seated R = 2.10 + 0.87 min, Standing L = 2.52 + 1.00 min, Standing R = 2.28 + 0.73 min) CONCLUSION: Muscle oxygenation and recovery of oxygenation were not different during seated and standing Wingate exercise tests. Possibly, during a non-maximal, lower intensity exercise muscle oxygenation would be different between seated and standing cycling.