Electrical support during outdoor cycling in patients with coronary artery disease: impact on exercise intensity, volume and perception of effort

Background: Electrical assisted bicycles (EAB's) could be used to overcome barriers and difficulties to outdoor cycling and thus assist in achieving a sufficient physical activity level in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients, but it is unknown whether sufficient exercise intensities and volumes could be elicited during cycling on EAB's. In this study we examined, for the first time, the acute physiological impact of electrical support during outdoor cycling in CAD patients (ISRCTN32238279). Methods: Fifteen CAD patients (13 males), aged 647 years executed a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test and afterwards cycled a predefined outdoor route of 10km, in three different conditions: classical cycling (no support), EAB with low support (EAB(low)) and high support (EAB(high)). Oxygen uptake (VO2) and carbon dioxide output (VCO2) was measured continuously by a portable gas-analysing system. Cycling time was recorded and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) was assessed at 3 and 7km. Results: Mean VO2 during EAB(high) (1721 +/- 537ml.min(-1)) was significantly lower compared to EAB(low) (1890 +/- 619ml.min(-1), p < .05), but no differences were found between EAB(low) and classical cycling (1846 +/- 523ml.min(-1)). EAB(low) and EAB(high) elicited a sufficient volume and intensity (6.6 +/- 2.0 MET's (74 +/- 6% VO2peak) and 6.0 +/- 1.8 MET's (68 +/- 7% VO2peak), respectively) to adhere to the guidelines for secondary prevention in CAD. RPE was significantly lower p < .05) during EAB(high) (9 +/- 2), than during EAB(low) (11 +/- 2) or classical cycling (11 +/- 2). Conclusions: Outdoor cycling with electrical support leads to a sufficiently high exercise intensity and volume in CAD patients, and may be considered as an alternative exercise modality.

Jaar van publicatie:2018

Trefwoorden:A1 Journal article

BOF-keylabel:ja

BOF-publication weight:0.1

CSS-citation score:1

Authors from:Higher Education

Toegankelijkheid:Closed