Power output of legs during high intensity cycle ergometry: Influence of hand grip

Abstract

Traditionally, leg cycle ergometry is used to assess the power output of the lower limbs. However, it is suspected that the upper body makes a significant, albeit as yet unknown, contribution to the measured power output, and as such, the lean mass of the whole body should be considered during ergometric assessment. To test this idea, indices of mechanical power output were obtained from 11 subjects during high intensity leg cycle ergometry tests (20 second duration; 75 grams per kilogram total body mass) using two protocols: one with a standard handle-bar grip (with grip) and one with supinated wrists (without-grip). Peak mechanical power, mean mechanical power, fatigue index and total mechanical work values were calculated for each subject during each test and the sample mean differences associated with the two protocols were compared using paired Student t-tests. The with-grip protocol yielded significantly greater peak mechanical power output than the without-grip protocol (886+/-124 W and 815+/-151 W, respectively), suggesting a significant upper body contribution to the maximum power output measured for the legs. As a first step towards quantifying the upper body involvement during leg cycle ergometry, surface electromyography of the forearm musculature was measured in a twelfth subject whilst performing each of the test protocols. During the with-grip ergometer tests, the intensity of electrical activity in the forearm musculature was similar, if not greater than, the intensity of electrical activity recorded for the forearm musculature during 100% maximum voluntary hand grip-dynamometer contractions, suggesting maximum isometric-type forearm muscle contraction during the with-grip leg ergometry tests. These findings suggest that the performance of traditional-style leg cycle ergometry requires a muscular contribution from the whole body. As such, researchers should be mindful of this, both in terms of the allocation of ergometer loads, and in the analysis of blood-borne metabolites.

Upper Body Contribution During Leg Cycling Peak Power in Teenage Boys and Girls

“…Data showed that greater PP (derived from 5-s sprints) and MP (derived from 20-s sprints) values were achieved during the traditional with handgrip protocol than in the absence of handlebar grip. These findings are in agreement with previous work done on adults by Baker et al (2001Baker et al ( , 2002 and demonstrated the implication of the arms and the upper body in cycling mechanics. We suggest that by pulling upon the handlebars, the centre of mass of the whole body is maintained at a constant vertical level, so that leg extension can be directed to pushing down on the pedals.…”

“…Nevertheless, during growth, some studies (Doré, Diallo, França et al 2000;Mercier, Mercier, Granier et al 1992;Van Praagh, Fellmann, Bedu et al 1990) observed that total fat-free mass (FFM) was a similar or greater predictor of cycling peak power than lean leg or lean thigh volume. Furthermore, using electromyography on trained male adults, Baker, Gal, Davies et al (2001) showed that the intensity of the electrical activity recorded for the forearm musculature during sprint cycling was similar to that recorded during a maximum voluntary hand grip dynamometer contraction. These findings suggest that during highintensity cycle ergometry, there is an important upper body muscle contribution to cycling peak power (pp).…”

Power output of the lower limb during variable inertial loading: a comparison between methods using single and repeated contractions

“…In addition, the arms act as anchors during cycling and may help transfer forces from other muscle groups. It has been reported that there is an increased ability to generate power output with the hands holding the handlebars as opposed to not so doing (Baker et al 2001). The use of toe clips has also been shown to increase power output during cycling (Capmal and Vandewalle 1997).…”

High intensity exercise cycle ergometer performance: the influence of handgrip and resistive force selection

“…The with-grip protocol yielded significantly greater (P<0.05) peak mechanical power output than the without-grip protocol, suggesting a significant contribution from the upper body to the maximal power output measured in the legs (Baker et al 2001b). In addition, as a first step towards quantifying the involvement of the upper body during leg cycle ergometry, surface electromyographs of the forearm musculature were recorded whilst performing each of the test protocols.…”