Effects of Exercise Intensity on Pedal Force Asymmetry during Cycling

Abstract

The purpose of the current investigation was to examine the effects of exercise intensity and a participant’s cycling experience on asymmetry in pedal forces during cycling. Participants were classified as cycling experienced (CE) or non-cycling experienced (NCE) based on self-reported training history. Participants completed an incremental cycling test via a cycle ergometer with inspired and expired gases, capillary blood lactate and pedaling forces collected throughout the test. Group X exercise intensity comparisons were analyzed at workloads corresponding to 2 mmol/L and 4 mmol/L for the blood lactate accumulation and peak power output, respectively. No Group X exercise intensity interactions for any variables (p > 0.05) were observed. The main effect on the exercise intensity was observed for absolute (p = 0.000, η2 = 0.836) and relative (p = 0.000, η2 = 0.752) power outputs and pedal force effectiveness (PFE) (p = 0.000, η2 = 0.728). The main effect for the group was observed for absolute (p = 0.007, η2 = 0.326) and relative (p = 0.001, η2 = 0.433) power outputs, the absolute difference between the lower limbs in power production (p = 0.047, η2 = 0.191), the peak crank torque asymmetry index (p = 0.031, η2 = 0.222) and the PFE (p = 0.014, η2 = 0.280). The exercise intensity was observed to have no impact on asymmetry in pedaling forces during cycling.