Changes in postural stability following strenuous running and cycling

Abstract

Different exercise protocols have been investigated considering the fatigue effects on postural control. However, the effects of cycling and running fatigue on postural stability are not clear. This study investigates whether, for a same group of participants, strenuous cycling and running could differently affect postural stability while standing. Fifteen men were submitted to measurements for center of pressure (COP) in both directions, anteroposterior (ap) and medio-lateral (ml), to assess stability before (PRE) and after (POS) strenuous bouts of running and cycling, randomly assigned. The COP length, COP area, COP RMSap and COP RMSml were calculated. Three trials (POS1, POS2, and POS3) lasting 30 s with 5 s interval between them were performed after exercises. Heart rate was recorded during the protocols. There were significant increases in COP length, COP area, COP RMSap, and COP RMSml after strenuous exercises. PRE differed from POS2 for COP area, COP length, COP RMSap, and COP RMSml after both running and cycling (all p<0.05) However, COP RMSml did not change significantly after cycling. After running, PRE differed from POS3 for COP length, COP area and COP RMSml, but were similar after cycling. Our results indicated that strenuous running negatively affects stability more than cycling. These effects were shortly reversed after cycling, but not after running. Also, an increase on mediolateral displacement means higher risk of falls in elders.