The assessment of the static component in rhythmic exercise

Abstract

A new approach has been devised to assess the “static component” of dynamic exercise. This technique involves the measurement of the isometric endurance of muscles which have just taken part in rhythmic exercise and depends on the repeatability of trained subjects in isometric effort. The premise is that isometric endurance will be inversely related to the static component of the preceding dynamic exercise. The subjects worked on a bicycle ergometer at known fractions of their maximal aerobic capacity (max$\dot V_{O_2 }$). The rate of pedalling was varied from 30 to 90 rpm, so that for a given % max$\dot V_{O_2 }$, the belt tension varied inversely with the speed of cycling. At any one speed of cycling, isometric endurance decreased as the belt tension increased. Following exercise at 30 rpm, the isometric endurance was 25 to 50% lower than that found at the most advantageous speed of cycling for our subjects; at these faster rates of cycling two subjects showed least static component following exercise at 90 rpm while the remaining subject performed best after cycling at 50 rpm.