A recent study investigated the physiological responses elicited during upper body exercises when individuals used either a self-selected crank rate or crank rates modified by ±10% of their freely chosen cadence. The research aimed to understand how variations in crank rate affect physical performance during specifically controlled exercise conditions.
The methodology involved two distinct upper body ergometer tests. The first was a sub-maximal test (T(SUB)), where intensities progressively increased from 50% to 80% of the participant’s peak power output (measured at an average of 118.4 watts, with a standard deviation of ±…). Participants completed the exercises under three different crank rate conditions: their spontaneously chosen rate (Ts), 10% slower (T-10%), and 10% faster (T+10%).
The analysis focused on physiological metrics such as heart rate, oxygen consumption (VO2), perceived exertion, and mechanical efficiency. Findings from this study are expected to provide valuable insights into optimizing training protocols for upper body endurance, particularly in sports and rehabilitation settings where arm crank ergometry is commonly used.
By identifying how even small alterations in crank cadence affect bodily responses, this study contributes to a more precise understanding of exercise physiology and the design of personalized training regimes in athletic and clinical populations.
Source: https:// – Courtesy of the original publisher.
