Skip to main content
Top
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology 6/2016

Open Access 01-06-2016 | Original Article

Oxygenation, local muscle oxygen consumption and joint specific power in cycling: the effect of cadence at a constant external work rate

Authors: Knut Skovereng, Gertjan Ettema, Mireille C. P. van Beekvelt

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 6/2016

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose

The present study investigates the effect of cadence on joint specific power and oxygenation and local muscle oxygen consumption in the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis in addition to the relationship between joint specific power and local muscle oxygen consumption (mVO2).

Methods

Seventeen recreationally active cyclists performed 6 stages of constant load cycling using cadences of 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 and 110 rpm. Joint specific power was calculated using inverse dynamics and mVO2 and oxygenation were measured using near-infrared spectroscopy.

Results

Increasing cadence led to increased knee joint power and decreased hip joint power while the ankle joint was unaffected. Increasing cadence also led to an increased deoxygenation in both the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis. Vastus lateralis mVO2 increased when cadence was increased. No effect of cadence was found for vastus medialis mVO2.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates a different effect of cadence on the mVO2 of the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis. The combined mVO2 of the vastus lateralis and medialis showed a linear increase with increasing knee joint specific power, demonstrating that the muscles combined related to power generated over the joint.
Literature
go back to reference Bini RR, Diefenthaeler F (2009) Mechanical work and coordinative pattern of cycling: a literature review. Kinesiology 41:25–39 Bini RR, Diefenthaeler F (2009) Mechanical work and coordinative pattern of cycling: a literature review. Kinesiology 41:25–39
go back to reference Bini RR, Rossato M, Diefenthaeler F, Carpes FP, dos Reis DC, Moro ARP (2010a) Pedaling cadence effects on joint mechanical work during cycling. Isokinet Exerc Sci 18:7–13. doi:10.3233/Ies-2010-0361 Bini RR, Rossato M, Diefenthaeler F, Carpes FP, dos Reis DC, Moro ARP (2010a) Pedaling cadence effects on joint mechanical work during cycling. Isokinet Exerc Sci 18:7–13. doi:10.​3233/​Ies-2010-0361
go back to reference Bini RR, Tamborindeguy AC, Mota CB (2010b) Effects of saddle height, pedaling cadence, and workload on joint kinetics and kinematics during cycling. J Sport Rehabil 19:301–314PubMed Bini RR, Tamborindeguy AC, Mota CB (2010b) Effects of saddle height, pedaling cadence, and workload on joint kinetics and kinematics during cycling. J Sport Rehabil 19:301–314PubMed
go back to reference Boone J, Barstow TJ, Celie B, Prieur F, Bourgois J (2014) The impact of pedal rate on muscle oxygenation, muscle activation and whole-body VO during ramp exercise in healthy subjects. Eur J Appl Physiol. doi:10.1007/s00421-014-2991-x PubMed Boone J, Barstow TJ, Celie B, Prieur F, Bourgois J (2014) The impact of pedal rate on muscle oxygenation, muscle activation and whole-body VO during ramp exercise in healthy subjects. Eur J Appl Physiol. doi:10.​1007/​s00421-014-2991-x PubMed
go back to reference Broker JP, Gregor RJ (1994) Mechanical energy management in cycling-source relations and energy-expenditure. Med Sci Sports Exerc 26:64–74CrossRefPubMed Broker JP, Gregor RJ (1994) Mechanical energy management in cycling-source relations and energy-expenditure. Med Sci Sports Exerc 26:64–74CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Ericson M (1988) Mechanical muscular power output and work during ergometer cycling at different loads and speeds. Eur J Appl Physiol 57:382–387CrossRef Ericson M (1988) Mechanical muscular power output and work during ergometer cycling at different loads and speeds. Eur J Appl Physiol 57:382–387CrossRef
go back to reference Hull ML, Jorge M (1985) A method for biomechanical analysis of bicycle pedalling. J Biomech 18:631–644CrossRefPubMed Hull ML, Jorge M (1985) A method for biomechanical analysis of bicycle pedalling. J Biomech 18:631–644CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Johnson MA, Polgar J, Weightman D, Appleton D (1973) Data on the distribution of fibre types in thirty-six human muscles. An autopsy study. J Neurol Sci 18:111–129CrossRefPubMed Johnson MA, Polgar J, Weightman D, Appleton D (1973) Data on the distribution of fibre types in thirty-six human muscles. An autopsy study. J Neurol Sci 18:111–129CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Kounalakis SN, Geladas ND (2012) Cardiovascular drift and cerebral and muscle tissue oxygenation during prolonged cycling at different pedalling cadences. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 37:407–417. doi:10.1139/h2012-011 CrossRefPubMed Kounalakis SN, Geladas ND (2012) Cardiovascular drift and cerebral and muscle tissue oxygenation during prolonged cycling at different pedalling cadences. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 37:407–417. doi:10.​1139/​h2012-011 CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Lucia A, San Juan AF, Montilla M, CaNete S, Santalla A, Earnest C, Perez M (2004) In professional road cyclists, low pedaling cadences are less efficient. Med Sci Sports Exerc 36:1048–1054CrossRefPubMed Lucia A, San Juan AF, Montilla M, CaNete S, Santalla A, Earnest C, Perez M (2004) In professional road cyclists, low pedaling cadences are less efficient. Med Sci Sports Exerc 36:1048–1054CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Neptune RR, Kautz SA, Hull ML (1997) The effect of pedaling rate on coordination in cycling. J Biomech 30:1051–1058CrossRefPubMed Neptune RR, Kautz SA, Hull ML (1997) The effect of pedaling rate on coordination in cycling. J Biomech 30:1051–1058CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference van Beekvelt MC, Borghuis MS, van Engelen BG, Wevers RA, Colier WN (2001a) Adipose tissue thickness affects in vivo quantitative near-IR spectroscopy in human skeletal muscle. Clin Sci (Lond) 101:21–28CrossRef van Beekvelt MC, Borghuis MS, van Engelen BG, Wevers RA, Colier WN (2001a) Adipose tissue thickness affects in vivo quantitative near-IR spectroscopy in human skeletal muscle. Clin Sci (Lond) 101:21–28CrossRef
go back to reference Van Beekvelt MC, Colier WN, Wevers RA, Van Engelen BG (2001b) Performance of near-infrared spectroscopy in measuring local O(2) consumption and blood flow in skeletal muscle. J Appl Physiol 90:511–519PubMed Van Beekvelt MC, Colier WN, Wevers RA, Van Engelen BG (2001b) Performance of near-infrared spectroscopy in measuring local O(2) consumption and blood flow in skeletal muscle. J Appl Physiol 90:511–519PubMed
go back to reference van Soest AJ, Schwab AL, Bobbert MF, van Ingen Schenau GJ (1993) The influence of the biarticularity of the gastrocnemius muscle on vertical-jumping achievement. J Biomech 26:1–8CrossRefPubMed van Soest AJ, Schwab AL, Bobbert MF, van Ingen Schenau GJ (1993) The influence of the biarticularity of the gastrocnemius muscle on vertical-jumping achievement. J Biomech 26:1–8CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Vogiatzis I, Habazettl H, Louvaris Z, Andrianopoulos V, Wagner H, Zakynthinos S, Wagner PD (2015) A method for assessing heterogeneity of blood flow and metabolism in exercising normal human muscle by near-infrared spectroscopy. J Appl Physiol 118:783–793. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00458.2014 CrossRefPubMed Vogiatzis I, Habazettl H, Louvaris Z, Andrianopoulos V, Wagner H, Zakynthinos S, Wagner PD (2015) A method for assessing heterogeneity of blood flow and metabolism in exercising normal human muscle by near-infrared spectroscopy. J Appl Physiol 118:783–793. doi:10.​1152/​japplphysiol.​00458.​2014 CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Oxygenation, local muscle oxygen consumption and joint specific power in cycling: the effect of cadence at a constant external work rate
Authors
Knut Skovereng
Gertjan Ettema
Mireille C. P. van Beekvelt
Publication date
01-06-2016
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 6/2016
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-016-3379-x

Other articles of this Issue 6/2016

European Journal of Applied Physiology 6/2016 Go to the issue