Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the upper-body contribution via handgrip to power profiles and blood lactate concentrations during high-intensity cycle ergometry.
Methods: Nine trained male subjects each completed a 20-s high-intensity cycle ergometer test twice, in a random manner, using two protocols, with a handgrip (WG), and without handgrip (WOHG). Capillary (earlobe) blood samples were obtained pre- and post-exercise. Blood samples were corrected for plasma volume changes and analyzed to determine blood lactate concentrations.
Results: In the WG protocol, mean (+/-SEM) blood lactate concentrations sampled over the three conditions were 0.98 +/- 0.33 mmol.L-1, 5.68 +/- 0.46 mmol.L-1, and 9.14 +/- 0.38 mmol.L-1, respectively. During the WOHG protocol, blood lactate values recorded were 0.99 +/- 0.26 mmol.L-1, 5.58 +/- 0.58 mmol.L-1, and 7.62 +/- 0.65 mmol.L-1, respectively. Differences were found (P < 0.05) from rest to 4 min after exercise for both groups. Differences in concentrations were also observed between groups at the 4-min postexercise blood-sampling stage. Peak power output values recorded using the WG protocol were also greater (1461 +/- 94 W vs 1136 +/- 88 W; P < 0.05). No differences were recorded for mean power output (MPO), fatigue index (FI), or work done (WD).
Conclusion: Results indicate significant differences in power output and blood lactate concentrations between protocols. These findings suggest that the performance of traditional style leg-cycle ergometry requires a muscular contribution from the whole body. As such, researchers should consider this, both in terms of the allocation of ergometer loads, and in the analysis of blood-borne metabolites.