Neuromuscular and metabolic comparisons between ramp and step incremental cycle ergometer tests

Zúñiga, Jorge M.; Housh, Terry J.; Camic, Clayton L.; Bergstrom, Haley C.; Traylor, Daniel A.; Schmidt, Richard J.; Johnson, Glen O.

doi:10.1002/mus.23606

Cited by 12 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…This solution is provided through the inductive braking system of a cycle ergometer. The inductive braking system of the cycle ergometer enables changes in the slope of the load increase curve, which allows for finding new ways of testing physical performance, e.g., linearly increased loading (RAMP) protocols [9,10,11]. Our previous work confirmed the validity of the protocol with RAMP compared to the traditional STEP protocol in young road cyclists.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 62%

Influence of Intensity RAMP Incremental Test on Peak Power, Post-Exercise Blood Lactate, and Heart Rate Recovery in Males: Cross-Over Study

Michalik

Korta

Danek

et al. 2019

IJERPH

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Background: The linearly increased loading (RAMP) incremental test is a method commonly used to evaluate physical performance in a laboratory, but the best-designed protocol remains unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the selected variables used in training control resulting from the two different intensities of RAMP incremental tests. Methods: Twenty healthy and physically active men took part in this experiment. The tests included two visits to a laboratory, during which anthropometric measurements, incremental test on a cycle ergometer, and examinations of heart rate and blood lactate concentration were made. The cross-over study design method was used. The subjects underwent a randomly selected RAMP test with incremental load: 0.278 W·s−1 or 0.556 W·s−1. They performed the second test a week later. Results: Peak power output was significantly higher by 51.69 W (p < 0.001; t = 13.10; ES = 1.13) in the 0.556 W·s−1 group. Total work done was significantly higher in the 0.278 W·s−1 group by 71.93 kJ (p < 0.001; t = 12.55; ES = 1.57). Maximal heart rate was significantly higher in the 0.278 W·s−1 group by 3.30 bpm (p < 0.01; t = 3.72; ES = 0.48). There were no statistically significant differences in heart rate recovery and peak blood lactate. Conclusions: We recommend use of the 0.556 W·s−1 RAMP protocol because it is of shorter duration compared with 0.278 W·s−1 and as such practically easier and of less effort for subjects.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 62%

Influence of Intensity RAMP Incremental Test on Peak Power, Post-Exercise Blood Lactate, and Heart Rate Recovery in Males: Cross-Over Study

Michalik

Korta

Danek

et al. 2019

IJERPH

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“…Additionally, a ramp protocol is more suitable for stroke patients because a ramp protocol produces lower electromyography amplitude, VO 2 and HR than a steps protocol in a submaximal cycle ergometer test (Zuniga et al 2012;Zuniga et al 2013). A ramp protocol also produces greater peak power output (Zuniga et al 2013) and metabolic responses (Zuniga et al 2012) than the step incremental cycle ergometer test. Therefore, a ramp protocol will facilitate achieving a VO 2 plateau (Zuniga et al 2012;Zuniga et al 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A ramp protocol also produces greater peak power output (Zuniga et al 2013) and metabolic responses (Zuniga et al 2012) than the step incremental cycle ergometer test. Therefore, a ramp protocol will facilitate achieving a VO 2 plateau (Zuniga et al 2012;Zuniga et al 2013). Similarly, Myers and Bellin (2000) proposed that ramp protocol should be used within clinical populations and untrained subjects.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rowing-Ramp Protocol as A Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test for Hemiparetic Stroke Survivors

Daud¹,

Melvina²

2019

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Cardiopulmonary capacity should be evaluated accurately to determine exercise intolerance and training intensity of stroke survivors before an exercise rehabilitation programme is prescribed. However, no cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) is suitable because of the stroke victims' physical impairment. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a new rowing-ramp protocol as a CPET for stroke survivors. Eleven stroke patients (6 male; 5 female; age, 45 + 16.01 years, performed two incremental exercise tests on a Concept II rowing ergometer to determine the peak oxygen consumption (VO 2 peak). Test-retest reliability for VO 2 peak, measured 1-week apart, resulted in an intra-class correlation of 0.97 and 0.95, respectively. A linear regression equation was developed to predict the VO 2 peak from final stage stroke power. Validity and reliability of the prediction equation were established. The regression equation for predicted VO 2 peak was VO 2 peak=11.429±+ 0.232 (Final Stage Stroke Power) + 12.63 (F=25.326, p<0.01; R=0.859, R 2 =0.738). Limits of agreement between predicted and measured VO 2 peak were acceptable, with a mean bias of 0.37 ml/kg/min. The validity coefficient (R) was 0.83 (p<0.01) and 0.81 (p<0.01) in both trials. Test-Retest reliability coefficient for predicted VO 2 peak 0.95 (p<0.01). The positive relationship between Final Stage Stroke Power and VO 2 peak suggests that the Rowing-Ramp protocol could be used to measure VO 2 peak of stroke survivors. Additional studies are needed to cross-validate the regression equation using larger sample size, different type and severity of stroke.

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“…It appears indispensable to keep searching for reliable methods of adequate and rapid assessment of FATmax, FATmin and MFO. Researchers' attention is increasingly drawn to ramp test protocols with linear load increases and no steady-state stages (Michalik et al, 2019a;Zuniga et al, 2013). Previous work by Michalik et al (2019a) demonstrated that maximal aerobic power and VO2max in youth road cyclists were higher during the ramp test (0.278 W•s -1 ), but no VT2 differences were registered relative to the incremental test (50 W•3 min -1 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of the Ramp and Step Incremental Exercise Test Protocols in Assessing the Maximal Fat Oxidation Rate in Youth Cyclists

Michalik

Danek

Zatoń

2021

Journal of Human Kinetics

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The incremental exercise test is the most common method in assessing the maximal fat oxidation (MFO) rate. The main aim of the study was to determine whether the progressive linear RAMP test can be used to assess the maximal fat oxidation rate along with the intensities that trigger its maximal (FATmax) and its minimal (FATmin) values. Our study comprised 57 young road cyclists who were tested in random order. Each of them was submitted to two incremental exercise tests on an electro-magnetically braked cycle-ergometer - STEP (50 W·3 min-1) and RAMP (~0.278 W·s-1) at a 7-day interval. A stoichiometric equation was used to calculate the fat oxidation rate, while the metabolic thresholds were defined by analyzing ventilation gases. The Student’s T-test, Bland-Altman plots and Pearson’s linear correlations were resorted to in the process of statistical analysis. No statistically significant MFO variances occurred between the tests (p = 0.12) and its rate amounted to 0.57 ± 0.15 g·min-1 and 0.53 ± 0.17 g·min-1 in the STEP and RAMP, respectively. No statistically significant variances in the absolute and relative (to maximal) values of oxygen uptake and heart rate were discerned at the FATmax and FATmin intensities. The RAMP test displayed very strong oxygen uptake correlations between the aerobic threshold and FATmax (r = 0.93, R2 = 0.87, p < 0.001) as well as the anaerobic threshold and FATmin (r = 0.88, R2 = 0.78, p < 0.001). Our results corroborate our hypothesis that the incremental RAMP test as well as the STEP test are reliable tools in assessing MFO, FATmax and FATmin intensities.

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Neuromuscular and metabolic comparisons between ramp and step incremental cycle ergometer tests

Cited by 12 publications

References 29 publications

Influence of Intensity RAMP Incremental Test on Peak Power, Post-Exercise Blood Lactate, and Heart Rate Recovery in Males: Cross-Over Study

Influence of Intensity RAMP Incremental Test on Peak Power, Post-Exercise Blood Lactate, and Heart Rate Recovery in Males: Cross-Over Study

Rowing-Ramp Protocol as A Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test for Hemiparetic Stroke Survivors

Comparison of the Ramp and Step Incremental Exercise Test Protocols in Assessing the Maximal Fat Oxidation Rate in Youth Cyclists

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