Task-specific symptomatology changes resulting from prolonged submaximal bicycle riding

Abstract

Key Cluster Analysis of 31 selected symptoms in the physical activity questionnaire of Kinsman et al. (9) separated the Fatigue Cluster into two components subsequently labeled General Fatigue and Leg Fatigue. Following prolonged strenuous exercise on a bicycle ergometer at 56% of estimated maxV̇O2, these symptom clusters increased significantly relative to initial values; they also had high coefficients of stability and testretest reliabilities. The heart rate increment from the 5th to the 13th min of effort was correlated —.41 with ride duration, .38 with Leg Fatigue, and .35 with General Fatigue. This suggests that riders of shorter duration have greater heart rate increases and larger scores for the Leg and General Fatigue components than do longer riders. Personality differences that could account for the wide range of quitting times observed at 56% maxV̇O2, and physiological mechanisms underlying the subjective reports of physical fatigue are discussed.