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A programmable electrically braked ergometer.

D Giezendanner, P E Di Prampero, P Cerretelli

Journal of Applied Physiology: Respiratory, Environmental and Exercise Physiology

|August 1, 1983

Summary

Electrically braked ergometers (EBE) often fail to maintain accurate and stable braking power. This research presents a method to significantly improve EBE accuracy and programmability for precise exercise control.

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Area of Science:

Biomedical Engineering
Exercise Physiology
Measurement Science

Background:

Electrically braked ergometers (EBEs) are crucial for research, requiring precise, stable, and programmable braking power (Wb).
Commercially available EBEs often exhibit significant deviations (up to 25%) from reference power (WR) and power drops (up to 30%) due to temperature increases.
Existing EBEs have limited and rigid programming capabilities, hindering their utility in diverse research protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

To present a procedure for building or improving EBEs to meet stringent research protocol requirements.
To enhance the accuracy, stability, and programmability of electrically braked ergometers.
To achieve precise control over actual braking power (Wb) relative to reference power (WR).

Main Methods:

Mounting the dynamometer's brake stator on ball bearings with torque transmission to a strain gauge.
Measuring rotor revolutions using a proximity detector and impulse counter on a cogwheel.
Integrating torque and revolution signals into a microcomputer for real-time control of the brake's power supply.

Main Results:

The developed system demonstrated satisfactory performance in following preprogrammed exercise-forcing functions.
Achieved high accuracy in braking power, with Wb = WR +/- 1% in the approximate range of 10-500 W.
Overcame limitations of commercial EBEs regarding power accuracy, stability, and programmability.

Conclusions:

The presented procedure offers a viable solution for constructing or enhancing EBEs to meet precise research demands.
This improved EBE system ensures accurate and stable power output, crucial for reproducible exercise research.
The microcomputer-controlled system provides flexible and programmable exercise protocols, advancing ergometer technology.

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