EFFICIENCY AND PROFICIENCY OF BIMANUAL CRANKING - DIFFERENCES BETWEEN2 CRANKING PATTERNS

The efficiency and motor proficiency of an arm ergometer exercise were evaluated for two different cranking methods, cranking in the forward and reverse directions. 8 young men participated. Their heart rates w ere measured as an index of energy consumption. The proficiency of elb ow-joint motion was assessed in terms of its consistency (intrasubject variability in cycle period, peak velocity, and peak acceleration) an d smoothness (jerk cost). Heart rates and jerk costs were lower during exercise in the forward direction than in the reverse direction. Thes e results suggest that improved efficiency accompanied improved motor proficiency in terms of smoothness of movement for arm ergometer exerc ises under different cranking conditions.