title: Determination of aerobic work and power on a rope-braked cycle ergometer by direct measurement.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare the power and work outputs of a cycle ergometer using the manufacturer's guidelines, with calculations using direct flywheel velocity and brake torque. A further aim was to compare the values obtained with those supplied by the manufacturer. A group of 10 male participants were asked to pedal a Monark 824E ergometer at a constant cadence of 60 r/min for a period of 3 min against a resistive mass of 3 kg. The flywheel velocity was measured using a tachometer. The brake force was determined by measuring the tension in the rope on either side of the flywheel. The calculated mean power was 147.45 +/- 6.5 W compared with the Monark value of 183 +/- 3.7 W. The difference between the methods for power estimation was 18% and was statistically significant (p < 0.01). The mean work done by the participants during the 3 min period was found to be 26 460 +/- 1145 J compared with the Monark value of 33,067 +/- 648 J (p < 0.01). The Monark formulae currently used to determine the power and work done by a participant overestimates the actual values required to overcome the resistance. There findings have far-reaching implications in the physiological assessment of athletic, sedentary, and diseased populations.
authors.affiliation: Sports Technology Research Unit, School of Technology, University of Glamorgan, Wales, UK.
authors.forename: Rae S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: Kathryn L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Franklin
authors.forename: Julien S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000332:Aerobiosis; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019563:Mechanics; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*