One-leg cycling versus arm cranking: which is most appropriate for physical conditioning after knee surgery?
OBJECTIVE
To compare the cardiorespiratory responses, blood lactate concentration and perceived exertion between 1-leg cycling and arm cranking.


METHODS
Comparison of exercise modalities.


METHODS
Hospital.


METHODS
Fourteen men who had undergone knee surgery were evaluated during rehabilitation.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Each patient performed 2 maximal graded tests: 1-leg cycling and arm cranking exercise, with a 7-day interval. Respiratory gas exchange, heart rate, blood lactate concentration, and the ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured.


RESULTS
Peak power output, peak minute ventilation, peak oxygen uptake (Vo(2)peak), and peak heart rate did not differ significantly between 1-leg cycling and arm cranking. The first and second ventilatory thresholds occurred at above 40% and 72% of Vo(2)peak, respectively, in both tests. The maximal lactate concentrations and the RPE values were significantly higher during arm cranking (+10%, +12%, respectively, P<.05) compared with corresponding 1-leg cycling values.


CONCLUSIONS
The maximal cardiorespiratory values were not different between arm cranking and 1-leg cycling. However, the RPE and blood lactate concentration were lower when the exercise was performed with the lower limb. Thus 1-leg cycling may be more easily tolerated than arm cranking by patients participating in aerobic conditioning after knee surgery.
Olivier
Nicolas
N
Polyclinique de Riaumont, Liévin, France. oliviern@neuf.fr
Legrand
Renaud
R
Rogez
Jacques
J
Berthoin
Serge
S
Prieur
Fabrice
F
Weissland
Thierry
T
D000328:Adult; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D001132:Arm; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery*; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011336:Probability; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012494:Sampling Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007773:Lactates