Influence of Muscle Tension Variations and Energy Absorption on Oxygen Consumption, Heart Rate, and Cardiac Output during Negative Work

Abstract

During negative (eccentric) bicycle work the influence of muscular tension on oxygen consumption, heart rate, and cardiac output was studied by letting work load (energy absorption) remain the same while muscle tension was altered by changing pedalling rate. There was a direct relationship between increase in oxygen consumption, heart rate, cardiac output (CO₂-rebreathing method), and increase in tension.

Key Words:

• Cardiac output
• energy absorption—muscular tension—negative ergometer work
• oxygen consumption—exercise