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Int J Sports Med 2008; 29(5): 401-407
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-965568
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Prior Muscular Exercise Affects Cycling Pattern

F. Bieuzen1 , C. Hausswirth2 , A. Couturier2 , J. Brisswalter1
  • 1Department of Ergonomics, University of Toulon Var, Toulon, France
  • 2Department of Physiology and Biomechanics, INSEP, Paris, France
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision June 10, 2007

Publication Date:
18 September 2007 (online)

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of concentric or eccentric fatiguing exercise on cycling pattern. Eleven well trained cyclists completed three sessions of cycling (control cycling test [CTRL], cycling following concentric [CC] or eccentric [ECC] knee contractions) at a mean power of 276.8 ± 26.6 Watts. Concentric and eccentric knee contractions were performed at a load corresponding to 80 % of one repetition maximum with both legs. Before and after CTRL, CC or ECC knee contractions and after cycling, a maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) test was performed. Cardiorespiratory, mechanical and electromyographic activity (EMG) of the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis and biceps femoris muscles were recorded during cycling. A significant decrease in MVC values was observed after CC and ECC exercises and after the cycling. ECC exercise induced a significant decrease in EMG root mean square during MVC and a decrease in pedal rate during cycling. EMG values of the three muscles were significantly higher during cycling exercise following CC exercise when compared to CTRL. The main finding of this study was that a prior ECC exercise induces a greater neuromuscular fatigue than a CC exercise, and changes in cycling pattern.

Key words

pedal rate - muscular contraction type - efficiency

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Prof. Jeanick Brisswalter

University of Toulon Var
Department of Ergonomics

av de l'Université

83957 La Garde Cedex

France

Phone: + 33 4 94 14 27 57

Fax: + 33 4 94 14 22 78

Email: brisswalter@univ-tln.fr

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