Effect of paddling cadence on VO2 uptake kinetics during a specific kayak exercise

Introduction - The fast components for kinetics of oxygen uptake (VO2) were observed at the onset of maximal kayak exercise (IVO2max). Synthesis of facts - Seven high level paddlers (mean age 22 +/- 1.6 year) have performed a maximal exercise at three different cadences (50, 60 and 70 cycles.min(-1)). For mean group values, no significant difference for time constant was found between the three cadence conditions while an individual effect of cadence was systematically observed. Furthermore a significant effect of cadence was observed on the time of exhaustion (tlim). The tlim was significantly greater at the higher cadence (r = 0.80; p < 0.05). Conclusion - Discussion set out different hypothesis explaining the individual relationship between cadence and oxygen kinetics, in particular a possible effect of cadence change on muscular fiber recruitment pattern. (C) 2002 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.