Frequency and pattern of rhythmic leg movement in humans after fatiguing exercises

In the current study we investigated changes in voluntary rhythmic leg movement frequency (freely chosen cycling cadence) and rhythmic movement pattern (tangential pedal force profile) after fatiguing hip flexion and hip extension exercises. Nine healthy individuals performed ergometer cycling at freely chosen cadence and at a cadence of 1 Hz before and after fatiguing hip flexion and hip extension exercises. The freely chosen cadence was not affected after fatiguing exercises. An alteration of key characteristics of the tangential pedal force profile was found during cycling at a cadence of 1 Hz after hip flexion exercise. Thus, minimum tangential pedal force decreased by 12.0 ± 11.3% (p = .006), while maximum tangential pedal force increased by 4.6 ± 4.2% (p = .011), and the phase with negative tangential pedal force increased by 2.6 ± 3.2% (p = .040). In conclusion, novel information was obtained on aspects of rhythmic leg movement behavior in form of pedaling after fatiguing exercise.