There is no difference in balance impairment after intermittent and continual exercise

Abstract

The study compares parameters of balance prior to and after intermittent and continual exercise bouts eliciting the same ventilation. A group of 14 cyclists underwent in different days either continuous or intermittent exercise on the cycle ergometer. In the first case, an initial workload of 75 W was increased by 25 W per minute up to a maximum. In the second, the periods of exercise bout and active rest were alternated until ventilation corresponding with previously instituted exercise was reached. Two different intensities were employed (4 W / 2 W and 5.5 W / 3 W per kg of body weight, respectively). Thirty seconds prior to and one minute after exercises the COP velocity was registered at 100 Hz by means of posturography system FiTRO Sway check based on dynamometric platform. While exercising and standing on stabilographic platform, cardiorespiratory parameters were monitored using breath-by-breath system Spiroergometry CS 200. As intended, there were no differences in the peak of ventilation after intermittent and continual exercise of lower (98.3 ± 12.3 l/min and 95.7 ± 11.8 l/min, respectively) and of higher intensity (150.6 ± 15.4 l/min and 150.8 ± 14.7 l/min, respectively). In both cases, no differences in the peak of COP velocity and in speed of its readjustment after intermittent and continual exercise were found. However, more profound balance impairment was observed after both exercises of higher (42.7 ± 5.4 mm/s and 39.5 ± 4.7 mm/s, respectively) than lower intensity (27.8 ± 2.8 mm/s and 27.1 ± 3.3 mm/s, respectively). These finding indicate that rather than type of exercise its intensity plays an important role in balance impairment.

Key words:

exercise, ventilation, postural stability