Pedal Rate Research Articles

Reliability of Time –Trial versus Time-to- Exhaustion Cycle Tests in healthy untrained subjects

In sport science and physiology, exercise performance tests are frequently used to examine the influence of experimental interventions on endurance performance. The reliability (or reproducibility) of performance of a test refers to the consistency or reproducibility of performance when someone performs the test repeatedly. The reliability of time-to-exhaustion and time-trial performance test protocols has not been studied extensively. To date, the studies of Jeukendrup et al (cyling) and Laursen et al. (running) are the only studies that directly compared the reliability of TTE versus TT exercise tests. The reliability of TTE versus TT in healthy untrained subjects needs to be studied since athletic status, exercise intensity and duration are factors that affect the reliability of performance tests. Therefore, the purpose of this study was 1) to evaluate the reproducibility of comparable TT and TTE tests in healthy untrained male subjects; and 2) to evaluate the performance (time to completion) in the TT and TTE test with similar intensity. Methods: Eleven healthy male students volunteered to participate in this study. All participants performed a maximal incremental exercise test, followed by three time-trial (TT) tests and three time-to-exhaustion (TTE) tests. In three consecutive sessions, participants performed a cycle TT test at 65%W peak on the Excalibur Sport ergometer. The first TT was a familiarization trial. After a 5 min 100W warm-up, participants were asked to finish the TT (total amount of work; approximately 30 min cycling) in the fastest time possible. In the TT protocol, participants received no verbal encouragement and visible information about elapsed time and pedaling rate throughout the trial. During the last three sessions of the test protocol, participants performed a TTE cycle protocol, at the same individual mean power output as the previous time trials. After the standard 5 min, 100W warm-up, participants performed a TTE cycle protocol until exhaustion. In the TTE protocol, participants received no verbal encouragement and visible information about elapsed time and pedaling rate and performed work (kJ) throughout the trial. Results: The CV of the TT (3.4) was significantly lower than the CV of the TTE test (14.1) (P=0.0018). There was no difference in mean time to complete the three TT (2029 ± 150s) and the mean time-to-exhaustion of the three TTE tests (1900 ± 974s) (P=0.641). No differences were found tor the time-to-completion, power, RPM, HR, %HR max and RPE completion of the TT the TTE tests (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The main finding of this study is that the time-trial is a reliable test for performance evaluation in healthy untrained subjects. The reliability of time-to-exhaustion protocols in healthy untrained subjects was poor.

Exercise Therapy for Parkinson's Disease: Pedaling Rate Is Related to Changes in Motor Connectivity.

Forced-rate lower-extremity exercise has recently emerged as a potential safe and low-cost therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD). The efficacy is believed to be dependent on pedaling rate, with rates above the subjects' voluntary exercise rates being most beneficial. In this study, we use functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to further elucidate the mechanism underlying this effect. Twenty-seven PD patients were randomized to complete 8 weeks of forced-rate exercise (FE) or voluntary-rate exercise (VE). Exercise was delivered using a specialized stationary bicycle, which can augment patients' voluntary exercise rates. The FE group received assistance from the cycle. Imaging was conducted at baseline, end of therapy, and after 4 weeks of follow-up. Functional connectivity (FC) was determined via seed-based correlation analysis, using activation-based seeds in the primary motor cortex (M1). The change in FC after exercise was compared using linear correlation with pedaling rate. Results of the correlation analysis showed a strong positive correlation between pedaling rate and change in FC from the most affected M1 to the ipsilateral thalamus. This effect persisted after 4 weeks of follow-up. These results indicate that a plausible mechanism for the therapeutic efficacy of high-rate exercise in PD is that it improves thalamo-cortical connectivity.

Personalized Adaptive Control of Training Load in Cardio-Exergames--A Feasibility Study.

This article presents a feasibility study of using an algorithm for an individual and adaptive control of training load in an ergometer-controlled exergame for aerobic training. An additional goal was to investigate the effects of the adaptive game on the players' motivation. A two-phase approach (calibration and exercise phase) was applied in a sample of 16 physically active adults. In the cardio-exergame "LetterBird," the flight of a pigeon was controlled by the pedaling rate of a bike ergometer as input device. During the calibration phase the individual heart rate (HR) responses of the players were measured. In the exercise phase, these data were used to adjust the resistance of the ergometer using the proposed algorithm. The purpose of this algorithm was to induce an individually defined target HR and to keep it in a steady state. In order to establish a reference for further studies, the game experience was measured using the kids-Game Experience Questionnaire. In 15 of 16 participants the actual HR reached the intended individual HR range within 10 minutes after onset of exercise. However, the induced HR initially exceeded the target HR in 13 participants, which made load adjustments necessary. The analysis of the kids-Game Experience Questionnaire confirmed the motivational effect of the exergame "LetterBird." The results confirm that the proposed algorithm for personalized HR control in the game "LetterBird" is feasible. Furthermore, the cardio-exergame "LetterBird" seems to have a substantial short-term motivating effect.

Assisted Cycling Therapy (ACT) improves inhibition in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder

Background A novel exercise modality termed Assisted Cycling Therapy (ACT) has been used successfully in patients with Parkinson's disease, but its effects in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have not been investigated.Method The aim was to examine the acute effects of 2 modes of exercise on cognitive and motor functioning in adolescents with ASD. Participants (N = 10) randomly completed 3 interventions on nonconsecutive days. The interventions were (a) voluntary cycling (VC), in which participants cycled at their self-selected pedalling rate; (b) ACT, in which the participants’ voluntary pedalling rates were augmented with a motor to ensure the maintenance of 80 rpm; and (c) no cycling (NC), in which the participants sat and watched a video.Results Participants’ inhibition improved significantly and improvements in cognitive planning and set-switching approached significance after a single session of ACT; however, no improvements in inhibition, cognitive planning, or set-switching were observed following the VC or NC sessions. Exercise perception improved after the VC session but did not change after the ACT or NC sessions.Conclusions ACT appears to benefit cortical structures in adolescents with ASD, but a chronic intervention may be necessary to improve exercise perception and self-efficacy.

Reply to "Discussion: 'Cardiorespiratory alterations induced by low-intensity exercise performed in water or on land' - What hemodynamic changes during cycling in water?".

Reply to "Discussion: 'Cardiorespiratory alterations induced by low-intensity exercise performed in water or on land' - What hemodynamic changes during cycling in water?".

Pedaling rate is an important determinant of human oxygen uptake during exercise on the cycle ergometer.

Estimation of human oxygen uptake () during exercise is often used as an alternative when its direct measurement is not feasible. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) suggests estimating human during exercise on a cycle ergometer through an equation that considers individual's body mass and external work rate, but not pedaling rate (PR). We hypothesized that including PR in the ACSM equation would improve its prediction accuracy. Ten healthy male participants’ (age 19–48 years) were recruited and their steady-state was recorded on a cycle ergometer for 16 combinations of external work rates (0, 50, 100, and 150 W) and PR (50, 70, 90, and 110 revolutions per minute). was calculated by means of a new equation, and by the ACSM equation for comparison. Kinematic data were collected by means of an infrared 3-D motion analysis system in order to explore the mechanical determinants of . Including PR in the ACSM equation improved the accuracy for prediction of sub-maximal during exercise (mean bias 1.9 vs. 3.3 mL O2 kg−1 min−1) but it did not affect the accuracy for prediction of maximal (P > 0.05). Confirming the validity of this new equation, the results were replicated for data reported in the literature in 51 participants. We conclude that PR is an important determinant of human during cycling exercise, and it should be considered when predicting oxygen consumption.

Noncircular Chainrings Do Not Improve Maximum Cycling Power and Joint-Specific Power during Maximal Cycling

Net cycling power is mainly produced during leg extension and flexion actions with minimal power produced during the transition between extension and flexion. A possible strategy to maximize cycling power is to increase the time spent in extension and flexion, while decreasing the time spent in transition. Noncircular (NC) chainrings can be oriented to prolong the powerful leg extension phase by varying crank angular velocity (ω) within the pedal cycle. However, the degree to which instantaneous crank ω influence muscle and joint actions depends on the degrees of freedom (DOF) in the leg/crank/pedal system. Previous investigations on cycling power using NC chainrings have produced mixed findings. These mixed findings may be due to cyclists exploiting redundant DOF in the leg/crank/pedal system to manipulate joint ω independent of crank ω. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of NC chainrings on joint-specific kinematics and power production during maximal cycling. METHODS: Ten healthy trained cyclists (age=34±8yr, mass=72±9kg, height=1.8 ±0.1m) performed maximal cycling trials of 3 s at randomly assigned pedaling rates (60, 90, and 120 rpm), and chainring eccentricities (ratio of major-to-minor axis) of 1.0 (Cir), 1.13 (Rotor), and 1.24 (Osym), respectively. Participants were visually blinded to chainrings. Joint-specific powers were averaged over complete pedal revolutions and extension-flexion phases. Joint-specific kinematics were analyzed for the portion of the pedal cycle where NC chainrings imposed 80% of their eccentricities (ECC80) on crank ω. RESULTS: Joint-specific powers were unaffected by chainring eccentricity. Ankle extension ω was significantly reduced (-13±12% and -37±13% at 90 and 120 rpm, respectively; all p<0.05) with the Osym chainring, whereas knee and hip extension ω were unaffected. Crank ω, ankle, knee, and hip extension ω within ECC80 increased with increasing pedaling rates (all p<0.01). CONCLUSION: NC chainrings did not improve maximum cycling power or alter joint-specific power during maximal cycling. Knee and hip ω remained unaffected with only ankle ω affected by chainring eccentricity. These results suggest that the effects of the NC chainrings on crank ω were eliminated by the cyclists’ ankling action and thus did not alter the major power producing actions of the hip and knee.

Reliability of Force-Velocity Tests in Cycling and Cranking Exercises in Men and Women.

The present study examined the reliability of the force-velocity relationship during cycling and arm cranking exercises in active males and females. Twenty male and seventeen female physical education students performed three-session tests with legs and three-session tests with arms on a friction-loaded ergometer on six different sessions in a randomized order. The reliability of maximal power (P max), maximal pedal rate (V 0), and maximal force (F 0) were studied using the coefficient of variation (CV), the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the test-retest correlation coefficient (r). Reliability indices were better for men (1.74 ≤ CV ≤ 4.36, 0.82 ≤ ICC ≤ 0.97, and 0.81 ≤ r ≤ 0.97) compared with women (2.34 ≤ CV ≤ 7.04, 0.44 ≤ ICC ≤ 0.98, and 0.44 ≤ r ≤ 0.98) and in cycling exercise (1.74 ≤ CV ≤ 3.85, 0.88 ≤ ICC ≤ 0.98, and 0.90 ≤ r ≤ 0.98) compared with arm exercise (2.37 ≤ CV ≤ 7.04, 0.44 ≤ ICC ≤ 0.95, and 0.44 ≤ r ≤ 0.95). Furthermore, the reliability indices were high for P max and F 0 whatever the expression of the results (raw data or data related to body dimensions). P max and F 0 could be used in longitudinal physical fitness investigations. However, further studies are needed to judge V 0 reliability.

Effects of 2 weeks of low-intensity cycle training with different pedaling rates on the work rate at lactate threshold.

This study examined (1) the effects of a single bout of exercise at different pedaling rates on physiological responses, pedal force, and muscle oxygenation, and (2) the effects of 2 weeks of training with different pedaling rates on work rate at lactate threshold (WorkLT). Sixteen healthy men participated in the study. An incremental exercise test involving pedaling a cycling ergometer at 50 rpm was conducted to assess maximal oxygen consumption and WorkLT. The participants performed constant workload, submaximal exercise tests at WorkLT intensity with three different pedaling rates (35, 50, and 75 rpm). Oxygen consumption ([Formula: see text]O2), blood pressure, heart rate (HR), blood lactate, and pedal force were measured and oxy-hemoglobin/myoglobin concentration (OxyHb/Mb) at vastus lateralis was monitored by near-infrared spectroscopy during exercise. The participants were then randomly assigned to cycling exercise training at WorkLT in either the low or high frequency pedaling rate (LFTr, 35 rpm or HFTr, 75 rpm) group. Each 60-min training session was performed five times/week. Despite maintaining the same work rate, [Formula: see text]O2 and HR were significantly lower at 35 than 75 rpm. Conversely, integrated pedal force was significantly higher at 35 than 75 rpm. Peripheral OxyHb/Mb was significantly lower at 35 than 75 rpm. After 2 weeks of training, WorkLT normalized to body mass significantly increased in the LFTr, but not the HFTr group. Pedaling rate and the corresponding pedal force and peripheral oxygenation during cycling exercise influence the effect of training at LT on WorkLT.

The impact of pedal rate on muscle oxygenation, muscle activation and whole-body VO₂ during ramp exercise in healthy subjects.

The aim of this project was to study the impact of pedal rate on breakpoints in muscle oxygenation (deoxy[Hb + Mb] and total[Hb + Mb]) and activation (iEMG and MPF) at high intensities during ramp exercise. Twelve physically active students performed incremental ramp exercises at 60 rpm, starting either at 50 or 80 W (i.e., 60rpm50 and 60rpm80), and at 100 rpm, starting at 50 W (100rpm50). Pulmonary VO2, muscle activation (iEMG and MPF) and oxygenation were recorded with EMG and NIRS, respectively. IEMG, MPF, deoxy[Hb + Mb] and total[Hb + Mb] were expressed as functions of work rate (WR) and pulmonary VO2 (%VO2peak) and analyzed with double-linear models. The breakpoints (BP) of iEMG, MPF, total[Hb + Mb] and deoxy[Hb + Mb] in %VO2peak did not differ among the pedal rate conditions (P > 0.05), whereas the BPs in WR were significantly lower in 100rpm50 compared to 60rpm50 and 60rpm80 (P < 0.01). Across the pedal rate conditions the BP (in %VO2peak) of total[Hb + Mb] (82.7 ± 1.5 %VO2peak) was significantly lower (P < 0.01) compared to the BP in iEMG (84.3 ± 1.7 %VO2peak) and MPF (84.2 ± 1.6 %VO2peak), whereas the BP in deoxy[Hb + Mb] (87.4 ± 1.4 %VO2peak) and respiratory compensation point (89.9 ± 1.8 %VO2peak) were significantly higher (P < 0.01) compared to the BP in total[Hb + Mb], iEMG and MPF. Additionally, the BPs in iEMG, MPF, total[Hb + Mb] and deoxy[Hb + Mb], and the RCP were highly correlated (r > 0.90; P < 0.001). The present study showed that muscle activation and oxygenation at high intensities during incremental exercise are related to pulmonary VO2 rather than external WR, with a close interrelationship between that muscle activation, oxygenation and pulmonary VO2.

Biomechanical analysis to determine the external power output on an immersible ergocycle

The external power output (Pext) is unknown during chest-level immersion exercise on water immersible ergocycles (IE). This knowledge will allow the practitioner to prescribe accurately exercise on an IE to the same workload on dryland ergocycle (DE). To develop a mathematical model to calculate Pext during chest-level immersion exercise on IE at different pedalling rates (rpm) taking into account the water external force exerted on the legs and pedalling mechanism. Thirty healthy participants (age: 33 ± 10 years) performed a maximal incremental exercise test on IE (chest-level immersion) and on a DE. Pedalling rate was increased by 10 rpm every minute beginning at 40 till 120 rpm. Pext was calculated by applying the general fluid equation on all elements exposed to water external force exertions (legs and pedalling system). Regression analysis yielded the following equations to determine (1) IE Pext (W) based on pedalling rate (rpm): Pext (W) = 0.0004 (rpm)2.993 (r2 = 0.99, SEE = 7.6 W, p < 0.0001) and (2) when DE Pext (W) is known, IE pedalling rate (rpm) = 13.91 × DE Pext (W)0.329 (r2 = 0.99, SEE = 1.5 W, p < 0.0001). This study provides a mathematical model based on the general fluid equation to calculate IE Pext during chest-level immersion exercise using pedalling rate (rpm), IE pedalling system physical characteristics and lower limb size. This model can be used to determine Pext for any IE type for exercise training prescription.

Enhanced muscle pump during mild dynamic leg exercise inhibits sympathetic vasomotor outflow.

Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) is not increased during leg cycling at light and mild intensities, despite activation of central command and the exercise pressor reflex. We determined whether increasing central blood volume and loading the cardiopulmonary baroreceptors modulate sympathetic vasomotor outflow during leg cycling. To this end, we changed the pedaling frequency to enhance skeletal muscle pump. Subjects performed two leg cycle exercises at differential pedal rates of 60 and 80 rpm (60EX and 80EX trials) for two conditions (with and without MSNA measurement). In each trial, subjects completed leg cycling with a differential workload to maintain constant oxygen consumption (VO2). MSNA was recorded via microneurography at the right median nerve of the elbow. Without MSNA measurement, thoracic impedance, stroke volume (SV), and cardiac output (CO) were measured non‐invasively using impedance cardiography. Heart rate and VO2 during exercise did not differ between the 60EX and 80EX trials. Changes in thoracic impedance, SV, and CO during the 80EX trial were greater than during the 60EX trial. MSNA during the 60EX trial was unchanged compared with that at rest (25.8 ± 3.1 [rest] to 28.3 ± 3.4 [exercise] bursts/min), whereas a significant decrease in MSNA was observed during the 80EX trial (25.8 ± 2.8 [rest] to 19.7 ± 2.0 [exercise] bursts/min). These results suggest that a muscle pump‐induced increase in central blood volume, and thereby loading of cardiopulmonary baroreceptors, could inhibit sympathetic vasomotor outflow during mild dynamic leg exercise, despite activation of central command and the exercise pressor reflex.

Influence of Pedal Rate on Performance Parameters at the Individual Anaerobic Threshold during Prolonged Cycling

Influence of Pedal Rate on Performance Parameters at the Individual Anaerobic Threshold during Prolonged Cycling

Acute bouts of assisted cycling improves cognitive and upper extremity movement functions in adolescents with Down syndrome.

The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of 2 modes of exercise on cognitive and upper extremity movement functioning in adolescents with Down syndrome (DS). Nine participants randomly completed 3 interventions over 3 consecutive weeks. The interventions were: (a) voluntary cycling (VC), in which participants cycled at their self-selected pedaling rate; (b) assisted cycling (AC), in which the participants' voluntary pedaling rates were augmented with a motor to ensure the maintenance of 80 rpm; and (c) no cycling (NC), in which the participants sat and listened to music. Manual dexterity improved after AC, but not after VC or NC. Measures of cognitive function, including reaction time and cognitive planning, also improved after AC, but not after the other interventions. Future research will try to uncover the mechanisms involved in the behavioral improvements found after an acute bout of assisted cycling in adolescents with DS.

Joint-Specific Power-Pedaling Rate Relationships During Maximal Cycling

Previous authors have reported power-pedaling rate relationships for maximal cycling. However, the joint-specific power-pedaling rate relationships that contribute to pedal power have not been reported. We determined absolute and relative contributions of joint-specific powers to pedal power across a range of pedaling rates during maximal cycling. Ten cyclists performed maximal 3 s cycling trials at 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 rpm. Joint-specific powers were averaged over complete pedal cycles, and extension and flexion actions. Effects of pedaling rate on relative joint-specific power, velocity, and excursion were assessed with regression analyses and repeated-measures ANOVA. Relative ankle plantar flexion power (25 to 8%; P = .01; R(2) = .90) decreased with increasing pedaling rate, whereas relative hip extension power (41 to 59%; P < .01; R(2) = .92) and knee flexion power (34 to 49%; P < .01; R(2) = .94) increased with increasing pedaling rate. Knee extension powers did not differ across pedaling rates. Ankle joint angular excursion decreased with increasing pedaling rate (48 to 20 deg) whereas hip joint excursion increased (42 to 48 deg). These results demonstrate that the often-reported quadratic power-pedaling rate relationship arises from combined effects of dissimilar joint-specific power-pedaling rate relationships. These dissimilar relationships are likely influenced by musculoskeletal constraints (ie, muscle architecture, morphology) and/or motor control strategies.

Maximal torque and power pedaling rate relationships for high level BMX riders in field tests

The Bicycle Motocross race is an “all-out” sprint discipline with a race time not exceeding 40s. In high-level, the maximal power output during acceleration phase can be higher than 2000 W. The purpose of this study was to analyse the maximal torque- and power-pedaling rate relationships and anthropometric characteristics during 80m sprints. Seven elite riders performed three 80m sprints on a levelled ground. The maximal mechanical power output (PMAX), the mean pedaling rate (PRmean), the optimal pedaling rate (PROpt), the maximal theoretical pedaling rate (PR0), the maximal theoretical torque (T0), the time at 20m (t20) and the maximal velocity reached during 80m sprint (vMAX) were measured using PowerTap system and photoelectric cells. Moreover, the projected frontal area (Ap) was measured during the sprints by photographs. Significant correlations (P < 0.05) were observed between PMAX and vMAX (r = 0.99), vMAX and PMAX•Ap-1 (r = 0.87), vMAX and T0 (r = 0.97), vMAX and PRmean (r = 0.98) and t20 and vMAX (r = -0.99). Moreover there was a significant difference (P < 0.01) between PRmean and PROpt with PRmean significantly greater than PROpt (158 ± 9 vs. 122 ± 18 rpm). The main results of this study showed that PMAX, T0, PRmean, Ap and t20 were significant determining factors of performance in 80m sprint. Furthermore, a lower value of PRmean could permit to reduce the difference between PRmean and PROpt in order to maximize the power output during the sprint.

Pedal errors among younger and older individuals during different pedal operating conditions.

The objective of this study was to investigate the characteristics of pedal errors by younger and older drivers that relate to sudden unintended acceleration (SUA) accidents. SUA during an accident is a serious issue that causes numerous critical injuries and deaths every year. Previous studies have indicated that the major factor in these accidents is pedal error; however, the characteristics that relate to SUA accidents in older drivers remain unclear. Twenty younger drivers (YDs; 23.1 +/- 0.22 years) and 20 older drivers (ODs; 68.9 +/- 1.16 years) used either one or both feet to participate in six tasks that involved pressing accelerator or brake pedals in response to various visual stimuli. Both the reaction times (RTs) and the pedal error rates of theYD and OD groups significantly increased with the difficulty of the task. Other than the simple reaction condition, we found that the pedal error rates were significantly higher for the OD group than for the YD group; the OD group also demonstrated longer RTs. Moreover, the rates of accelerator error were consistently two or three times higher than the rates of brake error in both theYD and OD groups. For the older population, the use of the left foot to operate the brake pedal and the right foot to operate the accelerator could decrease the accelerator error rate and may reduce the rate of SUA-related accidents that are caused by pedal error.

自転車競技（200mFTT,250mTT,500mTT,1kmTT,4kmTT）における記録とレース中の速度変化特性,クランク回転数変化特性およびギア比との関係

自転車競技（200mFTT,250mTT,500mTT,1kmTT,4kmTT）における記録とレース中の速度変化特性,クランク回転数変化特性およびギア比との関係

Development of a Novel Eccentric Arm Cycle Ergometer for Training the Upper Body

Several investigators have demonstrated that chronic eccentric leg cycling is an effective method for improving lower body neuromuscular function (e.g., quadriceps muscle size, strength, and mobility) in a variety of patient and athletic populations. To date, there are no reports of using eccentric arm cycling (EC(arm)) as an exercise modality, probably in large part because of the lack of commercially available EC(arm) ergometers. Our purposes for conducting this study were to 1) describe the design and construction of an EC(arm) ergometer and 2) compare EC(arm) to traditional concentric arm cycling (CC(arm)). All of the parts of a Monark 891E cycle ergometer (Monark Exercise AB, Vansbro, Sweden) were removed, leaving the frame and flywheel. An electric motor (2.2 kW) was connected to the flywheel via a pulley and a belt. Motor speed and pedaling rate were controlled by a variable frequency drive. A power meter quantified power and pedaling rate, and provided feedback to the individual. Eight individuals performed 3-min EC(arm) and CC(arm) trials at 40, 80, and 120 W (60 rpm) while VO(2) was measured. The EC(arm) ergometer was simple to use, was adjustable, provided feedback on power output to the user, and allowed for a range of eccentric powers. VO(2) during EC(arm) was substantially lower compared with CC(arm) (P < 0.001). At similar VO(2) (0.97 ± 0.18 vs 0.91 ± 0.09 L·min(-1), for EC(arm) and CC(arm), respectively, P = 0.26), power absorbed during EC(arm) was approximately threefold greater than that produced during CC(arm) (118 ± 1 vs 40 ± 1 W, P < 0.001). This novel EC(arm) ergometer can be used to perform repetitive, high-force, multijoint, eccentric actions with the upper body at a low level of metabolic demand and may allow researchers and clinicians to use EC(arm) as a training and rehabilitation modality.

The Effect of Different Combinations of Pedal Rate and Load during Ergometer Cycling at Different Work Rates on the Muscle Activities of the Lower Limbs

〔目的〕60Wと120W，180Wの仕事率で負荷量と回転数を変化させたペダリング時の筋活動を測定し平均値と最大値を検討した．〔対象〕健常成人10名とした．〔方法〕筋電図を用い右側大腿直筋，内側広筋，外側広筋，半膜様筋，腓腹筋内側頭，前脛骨筋を測定した．〔結果〕平均値では60Wと120Wにおいて低負荷高回転で高値を示し，180Wの中負荷中回転にて低値を示した．最大値では60Wの半膜様筋を除く全ての筋で低負荷高回転にて高値を示し，120Wや180Wへ高仕事率になると中負荷中回転では低値，高負荷低回転で高値を示した．〔結語〕各仕事率に，筋活動量を抑え運動効率が高く持久性を目的とする設定や，筋力増強のために筋活動量を高める設定があり，訓練時に考慮する必要性があることが示唆された．