High Pedal Rate Research Articles

The effect of aerobic exercise on dual-task gait in individuals with Parkinson's disease

Background/Aims: Dual tasking exacerbates gait deficits in people with Parkinson's disease. This pilot study aimed to examine the effect of aerobic exercise on dual-task gait in individuals with Parkinson's disease and begin to identify the impact of volitional pedal rate. Methods: Twenty people with Parkinson's disease were recruited and tested at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up for motor (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale) and cognitive function (Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status) and dual-task gait (Time Up and Go) conditions (manual and cognitive). A 12-week aerobic exercise intervention of cycle ergometry was carried out three times a week for 60 minutes each session. To assess our intervention, separate repeated measures of analysis of variance were conducted. As determined a priori, to assess the impact of volitional pedal rate, participants were divided after the intervention into a high-pedal rate group (>60 rpm) and a low-pedal rate group (≤60 rpm) based upon average maximal pedal rate throughout the intervention and analysed with the Mann Whitney U test and Related Samples Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. Findings: Overall, motor function (P=0.580), cognitive function (P=0.077), and motor-cognitive interplay (P=0.168) did not improve after aerobic exercise. However, pedal rate groups were different for TUGmanual and TUGcognitive, but not on motor or cognitive function. Only low-pedal rate group improved over time (P=0.028 on TUGmanual) and demonstrated reduced dual task cost after the aerobic exercise (>Minimal Detectible Change of 18.1%). Conclusions: Though the low-pedal rate group experienced greater motor-cognitive interference, persons who pedalled at the slower rate demonstrated the most improvement in dual-task activities.

Muscle damage slows oxygen uptake kinetics during moderate-intensity exercise performed at high pedal rate

This study aimed to investigate the dependence of oxygen uptake (VO₂) kinetics on pedal cadence during moderate-intensity exercise following exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). Twenty untrained males were randomly assigned to a 50 revolution per minute (rpm) (age, 23.3 ± 1.8 years; VO₂(max), 38.9 ± 2.8 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) or 100 rpm group (age, 24.4 ± 3.5 years, VO₂(max), 42.9 ± 4.3 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹). Participants completed "step" tests to moderate-intensity exercise from an unloaded baseline on a cycle ergometer before (baseline) and at 24 and 48 h after muscle-damaging exercise (10 sets of 10 eccentric contractions performed on an isokinetic dynamometer with a 2-min rest between each set). Pedal cadence was kept constant throughout each cycling trial (50 or 100 rpm). There were no changes in phase II pulmonary VO₂ kinetics following EIMD for the 50 rpm group (baseline = 35 ± 4 s; 24 h = 35 ± 7 s; and 48 h = 36 ± 9 s). However, the phase II VO₂ was significantly greater at 24 h (59 ± 27 s) compared with baseline (39 ± 6 s) and 48 h (40 ± 9 s) for the 100 rpm group. It is concluded that the effects of EIMD on phase II VO₂ kinetics during moderate-intensity cycling exercise is dependent on pedal cadence. The slower VO₂ kinetics after muscle damage suggests that type II fibers are involved during transition to moderate-intensity exercise at high pedal cadence.

The effect of pedal rate on pulmonary O2 uptake kinetics during very heavy intensity exercise in trained and untrained teenage boys

This study tested the hypothesis that the VO2 kinetic response would be slowed in untrained (UT) but not trained (T) teenage participants whilst cycling at 115 rev min(-1) compared to 50 rev min(-1). Eight UT and seven T boys completed two square-wave transitions to very heavy-intensity exercise pedalling at 50 rev min(-1) and 115 rev min(-1). In UT at the higher pedal rate, the phase II VO2 was significantly (P < 0.01) slower (50 rev min(-1): 32 ± 5 vs. 115 rev min(-1): 42 ± 11 s) and the relative VO2 slow component was significantly (P < 0.01) elevated (50 rev min(-1): 10 ± 3 vs. 115 rev min(-1): 16 ± 5%). The phase II VO2 (50 rev min(-1): 26 ± 4 vs. 115 rev min(-1): 22 ± 6s) and relative VO2 slow component (50 rev min(-1): 14 ± 5 vs. 115 rev min(-1): 17 ± 3%) were unaltered by pedal rate in T (P > 0.05). These data are consistent with the notion that VO2 kinetics are influenced by muscle fibre recruitment in youth but this effect is attenuated in endurance trained teenage boys.

Interpretation of crank torque during an all-out cycling exercise at high pedal rate

The use of cycle ergometers with strain gauges bonded on to the cranks enables the evaluation of strength, velocity and power. However, the torque measured at the end of downstroke is higher at high velocity than at medium velocity in contradiction with the force–velocity relationship. Kinematic data were collected with a camera during sprints on a Lode ergometer with strain gauges. Leg mechanical energy (E Leg) and its derivative (dE Leg/dt) were calculated from the sum of the kinetic and potential energies. The opposition of P ext (output at crank level) and dE Leg/dt before bottom dead centre suggested a transformation of E Leg into external work, explaining the higher torque at the end of downstroke at peak velocity. Another explanation is that the leg muscles worked on different parts of their torque–angle relationships as the phase between knee and ankle angles was different at low and high cycling frequencies. Musculo-skeletal net power output (algebraic sum of P ext and dE Leg/dt) indicated that musculo-skeletal structures participated in the upward movement, whereas P ext was negative.

Influence of priming exercise on pulmonary O2uptake kinetics during transitions to high-intensity exercise at extreme pedal rates

We investigated the pedal rate dependency of the effect of priming exercise on pulmonary oxygen uptake (Vo(2)) kinetics. Seven healthy men completed two, 6-min bouts of high-intensity cycle exercise (separated by 6 min of rest) using different combinations of extreme pedal rates for the priming and criterion exercise bouts (i.e., 35-->35, 35-->115, 115-->35, and 115-->115 rev/min). Pulmonary gas exchange and heart rate were measured breath-by-breath, and muscle oxygenation was assessed using near-infrared spectroscopy. When the priming bout was performed at 35 rev/min (35-->35 and 35-->115 conditions), the phase II Vo(2) time constant (tau) was not significantly altered (bout 1: 31 +/- 7 vs. bout 2: 30 +/- 5 s and bout 1: 48 +/- 16 vs. bout 2: 46 +/- 21 s, respectively). However, when the priming bout was performed at 115 rev/min (115-->35 and 115-->115 conditions), the phase II tau was significantly reduced (bout 1: 31 +/- 7 vs. bout 2: 26 +/- 5 s and bout 1: 48 +/- 16 vs. bout 2: 39 +/- 9 s, respectively, P < 0.05). Muscle oxygenation was significantly higher after priming exercise in all four conditions, but significant effects on Vo(2) kinetics were only evident when muscle O(2) extraction (measured as Delta[deoxyhemoglobin]/DeltaVo(2)) was elevated in the fundamental response phase. These data indicate that prior high-intensity exercise at a high pedal rate can speed Vo(2) kinetics during subsequent high-intensity exercise, presumably through specific priming effects on type II muscle fibers.

Relationship between oxygen uptake slow component and surface EMG during heavy exercise in humans: Influence of pedal rate

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that extreme pedal rates contributed to the slow component of oxygen uptake ( V ˙ O 2 SC) in association with changes in surface electromyographic (sEMG) during heavy-cycle exercise. Eight male trained cyclists performed two square-wave transitions at 50 and 110 rpm at a work rate that would elicit a V ˙ O 2 corresponding to 50% of the difference between peak V ˙ O 2 and the ventilatory threshold. Pulmonary gas exchange was measured breath-by-breath and sEMG was obtained from the vastus lateralis and medialis muscles. Integrated EMG flow ( Q ˙ iEMG ) and mean power frequency (MPF) were computed. The relative amplitude of the V ˙ O 2 SC was significantly higher during the 110-rpm bout (556 ± 186 ml min −1, P < 0.05) with compared to the 50-rpm bout (372 ± 227 ml min −1). Q ˙ iEMG values increased throughout exercise only during the 110-rpm bout and were associated with the greater amplitude of the V ˙ O 2 SC observed for this condition ( P < 0.05). MPF values remained relatively constant whatever the cycle bout. These findings indicated a V ˙ O 2 SC at the two pedal rates but the association with sEMG responses was observed only at high pedal rate. Possible changes in motor units recruitment pattern, muscle energy turnover and muscle temperature have been suggested to explain the different V ˙ O 2 SC to heavy pedal rate bouts.

The influence of circadian rhythm on muscle activity and efficient force production during cycling at different pedal rates

The aim of this study was to examine the pedal rate and chronobiological impacts on muscle activity pattern and propulsive force production during cycling. Ten male competitive cyclists performed at 06:00 and 18:00 h a submaximal exercise on a cycle ergometer at a power output which elicited 50% of their respective W max. The exercise was divided into 4 periods lasting 5 min each during which subjects were requested to use different pedal rates (free pedal rate, 70, 90 and 120 rev min −1) in random order. The study demonstrated that, under high pedal rate, several muscles exhibited a phase advance of activity. These modifications of temporal organization of muscle activity were not sufficient to keep an identical propulsive torque pattern. Time to peak torque was delayed when pedal rate increased. The effects of circadian fluctuation on electromyographic activity were limited to a later M. rectus femoris burst end and shorter activity duration for M. tibialis anterior at 06:00 h. From the results of this study, it seems that the influence of pedal rate in the range of torque fluctuation would depend on time-of-day of testing. The decrease in torque fluctuation due to pedal rate increase is reinforced when testing in the early morning. Taking this specific variable into consideration, the chronobiological effect increases the impact of pedal rate variations.

Effect of Pedal Rate on Diurnal Variations in Cardiorespiratory Variables

Recently, it was observed that the freely chosen pedal rate of elite cyclists was significantly lower at 06:00 than at 18:00 h, and that ankle kinematics during cycling exhibits diurnal variation. The modification of the pedaling technique and pedal rate observed throughout the day could be brought about to limit the effect of diurnal variation on physiological variables. Imposing a pedal rate should limit the subject's possibility of adaptation and clarify the influence of time of day on physiological variables. The purpose of this study was to determine whether diurnal variation in cardiorespiratory variables depends on pedal rate. Ten male cyclists performed a submaximal 15 min exercise on a cycle ergometer (50% Wmax). Five test sessions were performed at 06:00, 10:00, 14:00, 18:00, and 22:00 h. The exercise bout was divided into three equivalent 5 min periods during which different pedal rates were imposed (70 rev · min−1, 90 rev · min−1 and 120 rev · min−1). No significant diurnal variation was observed in heart rate and oxygen consumption, whatever the pedal rate. A significant diurnal variation was observed in minute ventilation (p=0.01). In addition, the amplitude of the diurnal variation in minute ventilation depended on pedal rate: the higher the pedal rate, the greater the amplitude of its diurnal variation (p=0.03). The increase of minute ventilation throughout the day is mainly due to variation in breath frequency (p=0.01)—the diurnal variation of tidal volume (all pedal rate conditions taken together) being non‐significant—but the effect of pedal rate×time of day interaction on minute ventilation specific to the higher pedal rate conditions (p=0.03) can only be explained by the increase of tidal volume throughout the day. Even though an influence of pedal rate on diurnal rhythms in overall physiological variables was not also evidenced, high pedal rate should have been imposed when diurnal variations of physiological variables in cycling were studied.

Maximizing muscle force via low-cadence functional electrical stimulation cycling

This study investigated the effect of pedal cadence upon torque production, power output and muscle fatigue rates during functional electrical stimulation evoked cycling in spinal cord injured individuals. All subjects had complete thoracic spinal cord injuries T4-T9 (ASIA A) and had been functional electrical stimulation training regularly for at least 6 months. One trial (n = 8) examined a low vs high pedal rate (20 and 50 rev x min(-1)) upon isolated muscle fatigue over 5 minutes. A second trial (n = 9) investigated the effect of cadence (15 vs 50 rev x min(-1)) upon performance during 35-minutes of functional electrical stimulation evoked cycling. Peak torque produced by left quadriceps decayed significantly faster at the higher pedal cadence, indicating a higher rate of muscle fatigue. Functional electrical stimulation cycling over 35 minutes also revealed that peak and average torques were significantly greater at the lower cadence. From 15 minutes onwards, power output was significantly higher at 50 rev x min(-1) FES-cycling, compared with 15 rev x min(-1). The higher muscle forces observed during low cadence functional electrical stimulation cycling should offer improvements over traditional pedalling velocities for training leg strength in individuals with spinal cord injury.

Effect of pedal rate on primary and slow-component oxygen uptake responses during heavy-cycle exercise.

We hypothesized that a higher pedal rate (assumed to result in a greater proportional contribution of type II motor units) would be associated with an increased amplitude of the O(2) uptake (Vo(2)) slow component during heavy-cycle exercise. Ten subjects (mean +/- SD, age 26 +/- 4 yr, body mass 71.5 +/- 7.9 kg) completed a series of square-wave transitions to heavy exercise at pedal rates of 35, 75, and 115 rpm. The exercise power output was set at 50% of the difference between the pedal rate-specific ventilatory threshold and peak Vo(2), and the baseline power output was adjusted to account for differences in the O(2) cost of unloaded pedaling. The gain of the Vo(2) primary component was significantly higher at 35 rpm compared with 75 and 115 rpm (mean +/- SE, 10.6 +/- 0.3, 9.5 +/- 0.2, and 8.9 +/- 0.4 ml. min(-1). W(-1), respectively; P < 0.05). The amplitude of the Vo(2) slow component was significantly greater at 115 rpm (328 +/- 29 ml/min) compared with 35 rpm (109 +/- 30 ml/min) and 75 rpm (202 +/- 38 ml/min) (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the time constants or time delays associated with the primary and slow components across the pedal rates. The change in blood lactate concentration was significantly greater at 115 rpm (3.7 +/- 0.2 mM) and 75 rpm (2.8 +/- 0.3 mM) compared with 35 rpm (1.7 +/- 0.4 mM) (P < 0.05). These data indicate that pedal rate influences Vo(2) kinetics during heavy exercise at the same relative intensity, presumably by altering motor unit recruitment patterns.