Objective: To compare cardiovascular and ventilatory variables in upright versus aero cycle ergometry at submaximal and maximal exercise intensities in untrained cyclists.
Method: Ten physically active men (mean (SD) age 19.1 (1.10) years) who were unfamiliar with aerobars underwent maximal exercise testing and steady state cycling at 50, 100, and 150 W.
Results: Participants had significantly greater maxima for oxygen uptake (Vo2), ventilation, heart rate, and workload maximum in the upright position. During steady state cycling at the three workloads, Vo2 (ml/kg/min) and gross mechanical efficiency were significantly greater in the upright position.
Conclusions: In untrained subjects performing with maximal effort, the upright position permits greater Vo2, ventilation, heart rate, and workload maxima. Further, in the steady state, exercise cycling may be less costly in the upright position. For this reason, untrained cyclists need to weigh body position effects against the well known aerodynamic advantages of the aero position.
- cycle ergometry
- Vo2max, maximal oxygen uptake
- Ve, minute volume
- GME, gross mechanical efficiency
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Psychological, physiological, biomechanical, and environmental factors all impact on cycling performance.1–4 Performance can be improved by refining the human machine—that is, increase judgment, skill, style of training—or by innovations in equipment (aerodynamic helmet, lightweight bicycle, form fitting clothing, aerobars). The aerobar is an extension attached to road bike handlebars that places the cyclist in a lowered position so that the thoracic spine is almost horizontal and the arms are extended forward with elbows tucked in. Aerobars provide an advantage by reducing drag imposed by wind resistance.5
Although research has shown that aerobars reduce wind resistance during cycling, there is conflicting evidence as to the physiological response to adopting the aero position. Faria et al6 were among the first to investigate the physiological effects of assuming the near horizontal position during a maximal oxygen uptake (Vo2max) test. They found a significant advantage in Vo2max, maximum work output, and maximum ventilation in the aero position compared with the upright position. Origenes et al3 hypothesised that cyclists in the aero position should show a higher breathing frequency but smaller tidal volume (as the result of a possible restriction). Some studies1,3 have suggested that the aero position is like the catch phase of rowing, where restriction is placed on the abdomen and thorax. However, these studies, unlike that of Faria et al,6 failed to show any significant ventilation differences between positions. More recently, Sheel et al7 found that the aero position provided energy savings, whereas Gnehm et al8 concluded that the aero position increased the metabolic costs of cycling, and Grappe et al9 found no difference between positions for some variables.
Most studies on the impact of position on performance have used trained athletes.1–3,10 Because training creates adaptation to the equipment and the near horizontal position, the physiological response in trained athletes may not generalise to most recreational cyclists. To our knowledge, there are no published studies on the physiological impact of position on untrained participants.
Previous studies of body position and cycling have investigated brief incremental exercise. Berry et al1 suggested that ventilation changes only become apparent after prolonged exhaustive exercise. For example, the restrictive nature of the aero position may impair the ability to sustain the position for long periods. This illustrates the need to investigate the effect of the aero position for various durations and intensities of cycling. Thus, the purpose of this investigation was to measure the cardiorespiratory response of recreationally fit young men, who were unfamiliar with aerobars, in standardised aero and the upright positions. Studies were performed during both maximal testing and submaximal exercise using a t