A new pedaling design: the Rotor--effects on cycling performance.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of the Rotor (ROT), a new pedaling system that makes each pedal independent from the other so that cranks are no longer fixed at 180 degrees, on endurance cycling performance.


METHODS
Following a randomized design, eight subjects (noncyclists; age (mean +/- SEM): 22 +/- 1 yr; VO(2max): 51.8 +/- 1.0 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) performed two bicycle-ergometer tests on separate days, one with the conventional pedaling system (CON) and the other one with ROT. Starting at 75 W, the power output was increased by 25 W at 3-min intervals until volitional exhaustion. Gas exchange parameters and blood lactate were measured for every 3-min interval.


RESULTS
At exercise intensities between 60 and 90% VO(2max), delta efficiency (DE) was significantly higher in ROT than in CON (24.4 +/- 1.9% vs 21.1 +/- 1.1%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Although more research is needed, especially with trained riders, the Rotor system might improve delta efficiency during endurance cycling. Other performance determinants VO(2max), maximal power output) do not seem to be changed compared with the conventional system.
Santalla
Alfredo
A
Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio, Madrid, Spain.
Manzano
José Manuel
JM
Pérez
Margarita
M
Lucía
Alejandro
A
D000328:Adult; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D004867:Equipment Design; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007773:Lactates / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis
D007773:Lactates