Effects of Eccentric Pedaling at Different Rates on Neuromuscular Function

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Volunteers Who Can do Moderate Physical Activity
• Interventions: Other: Neuromuscular evaluation; Other: Assessment of aerobic capacity, muscle architecture and habituation to the eccentric pedaling task; Other: No pedaling, usual activity; Other: Pedaling at 15 rpm; Other: Pedaling at 60rpm

• Registration Number: NCT04886115
• Lead Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon

Brief Summary

The recent appearance of ergocycles that can be used for eccentric pedaling (Cyclus type) has aroused a growing interest in the field of rehabilitation. The mechanical, metabolic, and cardiorespiratory characteristics of eccentric exercises make them an exercise of choice when the goal is to improve locomotor muscle function and exercise capacity. Despite its potential advantages, the optimal modalities of eccentric pedaling, in particular the choice of pedaling frequency, are still poorly understood, especially its effects on the neuromuscular system. Indeed, most training protocols impose a fixed pedaling power but with highly variable pedaling rates, ranging from 15 to 60 rpm (Besson et al., 2013; MacMillan et al., 2017). For a given pedaling power level (P), the choice of pedaling frequency (F) directly impacts the force torque (C) and thus the force applied to the pedals, since power is equal to the product of pedaling frequency and force torque (P = F.C). For frequencies varying from 15 to 60 rpm, the level of muscular tension during pedaling therefore varies from single to quadruple. These very large variations in force can influence the neuromuscular adaptations induced during a prolonged training period. For example, the use of low pedaling frequencies corresponding to high muscle tension could favor peripheral muscular adaptations (e.g. contractility) whereas higher pedaling frequencies could favor central (i.e. nervous) adaptations.

A better understanding of the neuromuscular adaptations induced by a period of eccentric pedaling at different cadences will allow for a more precise definition of training protocols for populations likely to undergo this type of training (e.g. elderly people, patients with heart failure).

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2021-05-10
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-05-10
• Study First Posted: 2021-05-13
• Study Start: 2022-02-07
• Status Verified: 2024-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-02-16
• Last Update Posted: 2024-02-20
• Primary Completion: 2025-06
• Study Completion: 2025-06

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 35

Inclusion Criteria

• Person who has given oral consent
• Subject capable of understanding simple commands and giving consent
• Subject (male or female) between 18 and 40 years of age.
• Subject able to do moderate physical activity

Exclusion Criteria

• Person not affiliated to national health insurance.
• Physical disabilities affecting the lower limbs or the pelvis, and which may hinder or prevent the practice of exercise on an ergocycle, whether neurological (central or peripheral), arterial (in particular, arterial disease of the lower limbs with a systolic index < 0.6) or orthopedic (degenerative or inflammatory rheumatism).
• Person under legal protection (curatorship, guardianship)
• Person under court order (sauvegarde de justice)
• Pregnant, parturient or breastfeeding women
• Major unable to express consent
• Minor

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Eccentric pedalling group at 15 rpm	Assessment of aerobic capacity, muscle architecture and habituation to the eccentric pedaling task	-
Eccentric pedalling group at 60 rpm	Neuromuscular evaluation	-
Control	No pedaling, usual activity	-
Eccentric pedalling group at 60 rpm	Assessment of aerobic capacity, muscle architecture and habituation to the eccentric pedaling task	-
Eccentric pedalling group at 15 rpm	Neuromuscular evaluation	-
Eccentric pedalling group at 15 rpm	Pedaling at 15 rpm	-
Eccentric pedalling group at 60 rpm	Pedaling at 60rpm	-
Control	Assessment of aerobic capacity, muscle architecture and habituation to the eccentric pedaling task	-
Control	Neuromuscular evaluation	-

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Maximum isometric force developed in the quadriceps	6 weeks of training

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Chu Dijon Bourgogne; 🇫🇷 Dijon, France