Affiliations: [a] Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK | [b] English Institute of Sport, Loughborough, UK | [c] School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK | [d] British Athletics, National Performance Institute, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK | [e] Water Research Group, School of Environmental Sciences and Development, Northwest University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: David Green, English Institute of Sport, EIS/Loughborough Performance Centre, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK. Tel.: +44 07860 783003; E-mail:david.green@eis2win.co.uk
Abstract: BACKGROUND:
Isokinetic eccentric cycling is increasingly being
utilised to examine the effect of chronic eccentric muscle training however
little is known about how individuals familiarise to such a unique training
modality. OBJECTIVE: To examine longitudinal variation in power output and
lower limb muscle activation during familiarisation to maximal recumbent
isokinetic eccentric cycling. METHODS: Twelve male volunteers, unfamiliar with eccentric cycling,
completed four trials, separated by 7-10 days, each comprising 6 ×
10 s maximal isokinetic eccentric efforts between 20-120 rpm. Peak power
and average power output (PO), and surface electromyography (sEMG) of the
rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), and medial gastrocnemius (MG) were recorded throughout. Systematic error across repeated trials was assessed using one-way ANOVA, and random
error quantified using coefficient of variation (CV, %). RESULTS: Average PO at 60 rpm and RF activation at 20 rpm increased
from trial 1-2 (p < 0.05), with no other systematic error between trials at
any cadence. Across all cadences, the CV for peak PO (∼ 13%),
average PO (∼ 10%), VL activation (∼ 13%) and RF activation
(∼ 19%) was moderate and plateaued after one familiarisation (i.e.
T2-T3). However, for BF (∼ 24%) and MG (∼ 22%) activation
reliability was generally poor. For the majority of variables the
reliability was best at 60 rpm. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, with one familiarisation, 60 rpm is
recommended to achieve moderate between-session reliability in the
measurement of power output and lower limb muscle activation during
recumbent, eccentric cycling.
Keywords: Eccentric cycling, familiarisation, electromyography;, reliability, power output
