One-Leg Cycling Versus Arm Cranking: Which is Most Appropriate for Physical Conditioning After Knee Surgery?

Abstract

Olivier N, Legrand R, Rogez J, Berthoin S, Prieur F, Weissland T. One-leg cycling versus arm cranking: which is most appropriate for physical conditioning after knee surgery? Objective To compare the cardiorespiratory responses, blood lactate concentration and perceived exertion between 1-leg cycling and arm cranking. Design Comparison of exercise modalities. Setting Hospital. Participants Fourteen men who had undergone knee surgery were evaluated during rehabilitation. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Each patient performed 2 maximal graded tests: 1-leg cycling and arm cranking exercise, with a 7-day interval. Respiratory gas exchange, heart rate, blood lactate concentration, and the ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured. Results Peak power output, peak minute ventilation, peak oxygen uptake (V o 2peak), and peak heart rate did not differ significantly between 1-leg cycling and arm cranking. The first and second ventilatory thresholds occurred at above 40% and 72% of V o 2peak, respectively, in both tests. The maximal lactate concentrations and the RPE values were significantly higher during arm cranking (+10%, +12%, respectively, P<.05) compared with corresponding 1-leg cycling values. Conclusions The maximal cardiorespiratory values were not different between arm cranking and 1-leg cycling. However, the RPE and blood lactate concentration were lower when the exercise was performed with the lower limb. Thus 1-leg cycling may be more easily tolerated than arm cranking by patients participating in aerobic conditioning after knee surgery.