Reliability of the Lode Excalibur Sport Ergometer and Applicability to Computrainer Electromagnetically Braked Cycling Training Device (original) (raw)

Abstract

Earnest, C.P., R.P. Wharton, T.S. Church, and A. Lucia. Reliability of the Lode Excalibur Sport Ergometer and applicability to Computrainer electromagnetically braked cycling training device. J. Strength Cond. Res. 19(2):344-348. 2005.-New technology allows cyclists to train via power output (PO) in addition to heart rate (HR). For those athletes undertaking seasonal laboratory testing (e.g., V O 2 , lactate threshold), it is imperative that athletes be able to directly apply this information to their training device. We examined the reliability of a standardized laboratory ergometer (Lode Excalibur Sport) and its applicability to an electromagnetically braked ergometer (Computrainer) in 2 phases. Phase I (n ϭ 12) examined the reliability of the Lode. Phase II (n ϭ 14) compared the Lode to the Computrainer using a randomized, counterbalance assignment. Following warm-up, each trial started at 100 W, progressing 50 W every 3 minutes to exhaustion. Outcomes were time-to-exhaustion (TTE), peak PO (W) (PO peak ), peak HR (HR peak ), and ventilatory (VT) and respiratory compensation (RCP) thresholds. We used a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANO-VA), Tukey post hoc analysis, regression analysis, Bland-Altman plots, and coefficient of variation (CV) analysis for each variable. During phase I, we found no significant difference for any variable, minimal dispersion of V O 2 during Bland-Altman analysis, and a low CV at each test stage (Յ 5%). During phase II, significant differences and higher CV for most parameters (all data; p Ͻ 0.001) were observed for Lode versus Computrainer: TTE (21 minutes, 12 seconds Ϯ 3 minutes, 12 seconds vs. 19 minutes, 9 seconds Ϯ 2 minutes, 36 seconds; CV ϭ 16%), PO peak (335 Ϯ 57.8 W vs. 295 Ϯ 47.1 W, CV ϭ 17%), as well as PO at VT (CV ϭ 51%) and RCP (CV ϭ 24%; p Ͻ 0.01). We conclude that coaches and cyclists may need to use some caution when directly transferring results obtained from laboratory testing to the Computrainer training device.

Figures (5)

Loading...

Loading Preview

Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. You can download the paper by clicking the button above.

References (10)

  1. BALMER, J., R.C. DAVISON, AND S.R. BIRD. Reliability of an air- braked ergometer to record peak power during a maximal cy- cling test. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 32:1790-1793. 2000.
  2. BASSETT, D.R., JR, E.T. HOWLEY, D.L. THOMPSON, G.A. KING, S.J. STRATH, J.E. MCLAUGHLIN, AND B.B. PARR. Validity of in- spiratory and expiratory methods of measuring gas exchange with a computerized system. J. Appl. Physiol. 91:218-224. 2001.
  3. BLAND, J.M., AND D.G. ALTMAN. Comparing methods of mea- surement: Why plotting difference against standard method is misleading. Lancet 346:1085-1087. 1995.
  4. LUCIA, A., J. HOYOS, A. SANTALLA, M. PEREZ, AND J.L. CHI- CHARRO. Kinetics of VO(2) in professional cyclists. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 34:320-325. 2002.
  5. LUCIA, A., J. PARDO, A. DURANTEZ, J. HOYOS, AND J.L. CHI- CHARRO. Physiological differences between professional and elite road cyclists. Int. J. Sports Med. 19:342-348. 1998.
  6. MCARDLE, W.D., F.I. KATCH, AND V.L. KATCH. Individual dif- ferences and measurement of energy capacity. In: Exercise Physiology: Energy, Nutrition and Human Performance (5th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2001. pp. 198-200.
  7. MILLET, G.P., C. TRONCHE, N. FUSTER, D.J. BENTLEY, AND R. CANDAU. Validity and reliability of the Polar S710 mobile cy- cling powermeter. Int. J. Sports Med. 24:156-161. 2003.
  8. PATON, C.D., AND W.G. HOPKINS. Tests of cycling performance. Sports Med. 31:489-496. 2001.
  9. REISER, M., T. MEYER, W. KINDERMANN, AND R. DAUGS. Trans- ferability of workload measurements between three different types of ergometer. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 82:245-249. 2000.
  10. STEPTO, N.K., J.A. HAWLEY, S.C. DENNIS, AND W.G. HOPKINS. Effects of different interval-training programs on cycling time- trial performance. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 31:736-741. 1999. Address correspondence to Dr. Conrad Earnest, cearnest@ cooperinst.org.