title: Effects of different pedalling techniques on muscle fatigue and mechanical efficiency during prolonged cycling.
abstract: The present study aimed to test the influence of the pedalling technique on the occurrence of muscular fatigue and on the energetic demand during prolonged constant-load cycling exercise. Subjects performed two prolonged (45 min) cycling sessions at constant intensity (75% of maximal aerobic power). In a random order, participants cycled either with their preferred technique (PT) during one session or were helped by a visual force-feedback to modify their pedalling pattern during the other one (FB). Index of pedalling effectiveness was significantly (P<0.05) improved during FB (41.4 ± 5.5%); compared with PT (36.6 ± 4.1%). Prolonged cycling induced a significant reduction of maximal power output, which was greater after PT (-15 ± 9%) than after FB (-7 ± 12%). During steady-state FB, vastus lateralis muscle activity was significantly (P<0.05) reduced, whereas biceps femoris muscles activities increased compared with PT. Gross efficiency (GE) did not significantly differ between the two sessions, except during the first 15 min of exercise (FB: 19.0 ± 1.9% vs PT: 20.2 ± 1.9%). Although changes in muscular coordination pattern with feedback did not seem to influence GE, it could be mainly responsible for the reduction of muscle fatigue after prolonged cycling.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Movement Sciences E-J Marey, UMR CNRS 6233, Aix-Marseille University, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Marseille, France. jean.theurel@u-bourgogne.fr
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Theurel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Crepin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Foissac
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Temprado
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004576:Electromyography; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018763:Muscle Fatigue; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010807:Physical Endurance; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult