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Metabolic and perceptual responses during Spinning cycle exercise
Jie Kang1, Edward C Chaloupka, M Alysia Mastrangelo
1Department of Health and Exercise Science, The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ 08628, USA. kang@tcnj.edu
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|May 5, 2005
Summary
Variable intensity exercise (VAR) shows no difference in metabolic and perceptual responses during exercise compared to constant intensity (CON) when average intensity is matched. However, VAR leads to greater post-exercise oxygen consumption, potentially due to elevated plasma lactate.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Metabolic Studies
Background:
- Understanding the physiological and perceptual responses to different exercise intensity protocols is crucial for optimizing training.
- Constant intensity (CON) exercise and variable intensity (VAR) protocols, like Spinning, are common training methods.
- Comparing these protocols helps elucidate their distinct effects on the body's metabolic and perceptual adaptations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the metabolic and perceptual responses during exercise between a constant intensity (CON) protocol and a variable intensity (VAR) Spinning protocol.
- To investigate the effects of exercise intensity variation on oxygen uptake, heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, and plasma lactate levels.
Main Methods:
- Fifteen healthy adults (23 ± 5 years) completed two 30-minute cycling trials: CON and VAR, followed by 30-minute recovery.
- Exercise intensity was matched at approximately 67-68% of maximal heart rate (HRmax) for both protocols.
- Measurements included oxygen uptake (VO2), heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and plasma lactate ([La]) concentrations.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in average VO2, HR, or RPE during exercise between CON and VAR.
- However, average VO2 and HR were significantly higher during the VAR protocol compared to CON.
- Plasma lactate ([La]) levels were significantly elevated at the end of exercise in VAR versus CON, returning to similar levels by the end of recovery.
Conclusions:
- Varying exercise intensity does not alter metabolic and perceptual responses during exercise if average intensity is maintained.
- The VAR protocol resulted in a greater post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) compared to the CON protocol.
- Elevated plasma lactate levels during VAR exercise may contribute to the augmented post-exercise oxygen consumption.