Air biking as a new way for stress testing

Abstract

Stress testing is an integral part of assessing cardiorespiratory fitness. Air bike is a cardio machine that has lately become quite popular among both professional athletes and general public. It is a type of stationary bike equipped with two handles allowing also upper-body activity. The aim of this study was to verify efficiency of stress ramp test to failure using air bike and to assess correlation between air bike performance and strength, endurance, and anthropometric parameters. The experimental group comprised 20 physically active individuals (average age: 22.1). The spiroergometric test protocol on air bike consisted of 3-minutes levels with no break. The testing led to high physiological values (HRmax = 189.7 bpm, RERmax: 1.12), the average test duration was 14 minutes. The most statistically significant connection (p = 0.01) with air bike performance was identified in fat-free mass (FFM) (0.86), back squat (0.83), bench press (0.84), 2 km row (−0.85). A less significant connection was discovered with VO2peak (0.68). Air bike was proven a suitable method for stress testing. Air bike performance depends mostly on FFM and strength parameters. Due to its specific usage (lower cadence, more strength focused work) that differs from running or stationary bike, it can be a suitable alternative for certain individuals or specific groups.

Sprint Interval Training on Stationary Air Bike Elicits Cardiorespiratory Adaptations While Being Time-Efficient

“…Hence, air bikes are powered by the pushing and pulling motion of the arms and pedaling by the legs to rotate the fan wheel. These movements make an air bike great exercise equipment to simultaneously engage the legs, arms, and core to improve cardiovascular fitness (4,6,29). In addition, an ergometer air bike uses air resistance created via a large fan.…”

“…Various bike ergometers are available for exercise, such as recumbent bikes, upright bikes, spin bikes, and air bikes. Unlike most ergometer bikes with fixed handles, an ergometer air bike has handles that move synchronously with the pedaling action, which simultaneously provide upper- and lower-body exercise (29). Hence, air bikes are powered by the pushing and pulling motion of the arms and pedaling by the legs to rotate the fan wheel.…”

“…This is different from most exercise bikes that use the weight of a flywheel combined with a resistance break to increase or reduce the load. However, an ergometer air bike can be a better tool for self-paced exercise because individuals do not need to constantly adjust the resistance on the bike (29).…”