Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2002; 23(2): 120-124
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-20131
Training and Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Spontaneously Chosen Crank Rate Variations in Submaximal Arm Exercise with Inexperienced Subjects. Effects on Cardiorespiratory and Efficiency Parameters

G.  Marais1 , L.  Dupont2 , M.  Maillet2 , T.  Weissland2 , J.  Vanvelcenaher2 , P.  Pelayo1
  • 1 Laboratoire d’Etudes de la Motricité Humaine, Faculté des Sciences du Sport et de l’Education Physique, Université de Lille 2, France.
  • 2 Centre de Rééducation et de Réadaptations Fonctionnelles et Spécialisées - l’Espoir, Lille Hellemmes, France
Further Information

Publication History

May 31, 2001

Publication Date:
13 February 2002 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to compare the physiological responses during arm exercises when the crank rate was chosen spontaneously (TS) or set at ± 20 % (T-20, T+ 20) of the spontaneously chosen crank rate (SCCR). Eight physical education male students, aged 22 ± 3.2 years, performed an upper body exercise in which intensities ranged from unload to 80 % of maximal power. No significant difference was observed in oxygen uptake, ventilation, gross and net efficiency values between TS and T+ 20 or T-20. Nevertheless, oxygen uptake and ventilation were significantly (p < 0.05) lower and gross and net efficiencies higher (p < 0.05) during T-20 than T+ 20. No significant difference was noticed for heart rate, delta and work efficiency between TS, T-20 and T+ 20. The hypothesis that SCCR is the most economical one according to the efficiency parameters was not quite verified. However, crank rates lower than SCCR could be interesting because they increase gross efficiency compared to higher crank rates. Moreover, the selection of crank rates depends on power output. Indeed, SCCR increased significantly (p < 0.05) with power output. In the physical reconditioning of injured or handicapped subjects, the latter are very sensitive to the power output, and the crank rate could be another constraint.

Key words

Spontaneously chosen crank rates · upper body exercise · cardiorespiratory parameters · efficiency

References

  • 1 Astrand P O, Rodahl K. Précis de physiologie. Paris; Masson 1977
    Google Scholar
  • 2 Banister E W, Jackson R C. The effect of speed and load changes on oxygen intake for equivalent power output during bicycle ergometry.  Int Z Angew Physiol einschl Arbeitsphysiol. 1967;  24 284-290
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Coast J R, Welch H G. Linear increase in optimal pedal rate with increased power output in cycle ergometry.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1985;  53 339-342
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Corlett E, Mahadeva K. A relationship between a freely chosen working pace and energy consumption curves.  Ergonomics. 1970;  4 517-524
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Dickinson S. The efficiency of bicycle-pedalling as affected by speed and load.  J Physiol. 1929;  67 242-255
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Faulkner J A, Roberts D E, Elk R L, Conway J. Cardiovascular responses to submaximum and maximum effort cycling and running.  J Appl Physiol. 1971;  30 457-461
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Gaesser G A, Brooks G A. Muscular efficiency during steady-rate exercise: effects of speed and work rate.  J Appl Physiol. 1975;  38 1132-1139
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Glaser R M. Arm exercise training for wheelchair users.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1989;  21 149-157
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Hagan R D, Weis S E, Raven P B. Effect of pedal rate on cardiorespiratory responses during continuous exercise.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1992;  24 1088-1095
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Hagberg J M, Mullin J P, Giese M D, Spitzagel E. Effect of pedalling rate on sub maximal exercise responses of competitive cyclists.  J Appl Physiol. 1981;  51 447-451
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Jones P RM, Campbell E JM. Clinical exercise testing. London; Saunders 1982: 235-239
    Google Scholar
  • 12 Mc Millan N, Gurovich A. Effect of pedal cadence on metabolic parameters of cycling performance.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1994;  26 S113
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Marais G, Weissland T, Robin H, Vanvelcenaher J, Lavoie J M, Pelayo P. Physiological effects of variations in spontaneously chosen crank rate during sub-maximal and supra-maximal upper body exercises.  Int J Sports Med. 1999;  20 239-245
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Marsh A P, Martin P E. The association between cycling experience and preferred and most economical cadences.  Med Sci Sport Exerc. 1993;  25 1269-1274
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Marsh A P, Martin P E. Effect of cadence, cycling experience, and aerobic power on delta efficiency during cycling.  Med Sci Sport Exerc. 2000;  23 1630-1634
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Millet G Y, Hoffman M D, Candau R, Buckwalter J B, Clifford P S. Cycle variations in roller ski skating: effects on oxygen uptake and poling forces.  Int J Sports Med. 1998;  19 521-525
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Pelayo P, Sidney M, Weissland T. Effects of variations in spontaneously chosen rate during crank upper-body and swimming exercise.  J Hum Movem Study. 1997;  32 1-10
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Powers S K, Beadle R E, Mangum M. Exercise efficiency during arm ergometry: effects of speed and work rate.  J Appl Physiol. 1984;  56 495-499
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Saltin B, Astrand P O. Maximal oxygen uptake in athletes.  J Appl Physiol. 1967;  23 353-358
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Salvendy G, Pilitsis J. Psychophysiological aspects of paced and unpaced performance as influenced by age.  Ergonomics. 1971;  6 703-711
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Sawka M N, Foley M E, Pimental N A, Toner M M, Pandolf K B. Determination of maximal aerobic power during upper-body exercise.  J Appl Physiol. 1983;  54 113-117
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Sawka M N. Physiology of upper body exercise.  Exer Sports Sci Rev. 1986;  14 175-211
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Seabury J J, Adams W C, Ramey M R. Influence of pedalling rate and power output on energy expenditure during bicycle ergometry.  Ergonomics. 1977;  20 491-498
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Sidossis L S, Horowitz J F, Coyle E F. Load and velocity of contraction influence gross and delta mechanical efficiency.  Int J Sports Med. 1992;  13 407-411
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Takaishi T, Yasuda Y, Moritani T. Neuromuscular fatigue during prolonged pedalling exercise at different pedalling rates.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1994;  69 154-158
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Takaishi T, Yasuda Y, Ono T, Moritani T. Optimal pedaling estimated from neuromuscular fatigue for cyclists.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1996;  28 1492-1497
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Taylor H L, Buskirk E, Hensche L A. Maximal oxygen intake as an objective measure of cardio respiratory performance.  J Appl Physiol. 1955;  8 73-80
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Weissland T, Pelayo P, Vanvelcenaher J, Marais G, Lavoie J M, Robin H. Physiological effects of variations of spontaneously chosen crank rate in incremental upper body exercise.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1997;  76 428-433
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Woude L H, Veeger H E, Rozendal R H, Sargeant A J. Optimum cycle frequencies in hand-rim wheelchair propulsion. Wheelchair propulsion technique.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1989;  58 625-632
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar

G. Marais

Faculté des Sciences du Sport et de l’EP · Université de Lille 2

9 rue de l’université · 59790 Ronchin · France ·

Phone: +33 (0320) 887379

Fax: +33 (0320) 887377

Email: gmarais@hp-sc.univ-lille2.fr

      >