Asymmetry in bicycle ergometer pedalling

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Abstract
The effects of changes in speed and resistance setting on the bilateral symmetry of work output on the bicycle ergometer were studied. The cranks of a Monarch bicycle ergometer were instrumented with foil strain gauges and the bridge outputs were integrated on-line and analyzed by a program running in a Hewlett Packard 2115A computer. Male subjects (20) performed three 30 s trials at each of 9 speed and resistance combinations. Indices of asymmetry from 66-178 were found using kicking dominance (n = 20) and 56-135 using a strength dominance classification (n = 13). Day to day reliability of the index of asymmetry was only 0.47; within day reliability was 0.87 for day 1 and 0.79 for day 2. No significant effects for speed or resistance changes were shown on either day for the strength dominant subjects. When kicking dominance was considered, main effects were encountered on both days for speed although there was no clear directional trend. The findings of these experiments have important implications for studies where measurements are made on the lower extremity during cycle ergometer exercise, and for competitive cyclists engaged in endurance competition.

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