The goal of the study was to evaluate the effects of local vibration-induced cycling (at a frequency of 20Hz and amplitude of 4mm) on the cardiopulmonary system and muscle metabolism and perceived responses compared to cycling with no vibration. Twelve healthy men (age: 25.3±1.6 years, weight: 74.2±5.9 kg, height: 181.0±3.7 cm, VO2max: 56.9±5.1 ml/min/kg) performed two incremental cycle ergometer tests with and without vibration until volitional exhaustion on a cycle prototype. Absolute and relative oxygen uptake as well as minute ventilation increased significantly at 250 and 300 Watts with vibration (p<0.05). No statistical differences were found between the tests for lactate concentration, heart rate, rating of perceived exertion and perception of muscular effort (p>0.05). The findings show that a superimposed vibration stimulus on cycling compared to cycling without vibration leads to a higher respiratory demand. This phenomenon can result from micro-contractions of the limb muscle due to an enhancement of muscle fiber recruitment and tonic vibration reflex at higher workloads. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR
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