Validation of a new cycle ergometer

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test the concurrent validity of the ICBE compared to the Monark® cycle ergometer by indirect dynamic calibration. 42 men were randomly submitted to 2 maximal stress tests with increments of 50 W at 2-min intervals. One test was performed on the Monark® bicycle (834/E) and the other on the ICBE. Cardiovascular, perceived exertion and hemodynamic responses were compared between the 2 bicycles. No differences (p>0.05) were observed in resting heart rate (HR), maximum HR, peak oxygen uptake (VO 2P L·min1 and VO2PmL·kg 1·min1), and number of stages completed. High correlations (r>0.85) were found between HR and VO2P. Residual analysis indicated strong agreement between the 2 cycle ergometers in terms of VO2P L·min1 [0.36-0.30] and VO2P mL·kg1·min1 [4.98-4.46]. Residual dispersion (r=0.25 for both) showed that the mathematical differences in VO2P L·min1 and VO2P mL·kg1· min1 between cycle ergometers were independent. The correlation coefficient (r) and coefficient of determination (R2) between VO 2P L·min1 (r=0.90; R2=0.80) and VO 2P mL·kg1·min1 (r=0.90; R 2=0.81) obtained for the 2 cycle ergometers were high, whereas the standard error of the estimate was low (0.186 L·min1 and 2.56 mL·kg1·min1, respectively). The ICBE presents concurrent validity for use in submaximal and maximal cardiopulmonary tests. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.