Single-leg cycle training is superior to double-leg cycling in improving the oxidative potential and metabolic profile of trained skeletal muscle

J Appl Physiol (1985). 2011 May;110(5):1248-55. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01247.2010. Epub 2011 Feb 17.

Abstract

Single-leg cycling may enhance the peripheral adaptations of skeletal muscle to a greater extent than double-leg cycling. The purpose of the current study was to determine the influence of 3 wk of high-intensity single- and double-leg cycle training on markers of oxidative potential and muscle metabolism and exercise performance. In a crossover design, nine trained cyclists (78 ± 7 kg body wt, 59 ± 5 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1) maximal O(2) consumption) performed an incremental cycling test and a 16-km cycling time trial before and after 3 wk of double-leg and counterweighted single-leg cycle training (2 training sessions per week). Training involved three (double) or six (single) maximal 4-min intervals with 6 min of recovery. Mean power output during the single-leg intervals was more than half that during the double-leg intervals (198 ± 29 vs. 344 ± 38 W, P < 0.05). Skeletal muscle biopsy samples from the vastus lateralis revealed a training-induced increase in Thr(172)-phosphorylated 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase α-subunit for both groups (P < 0.05). However, the increase in cytochrome c oxidase subunits II and IV and GLUT-4 protein concentration was greater following single- than double-leg cycling (P < 0.05). Training-induced improvements in maximal O(2) consumption (3.9 ± 6.2% vs. 0.6 ± 3.6%) and time-trial performance (1.3 ± 0.5% vs. 2.3 ± 4.2%) were similar following both interventions. We conclude that short-term high-intensity single-leg cycle training can elicit greater enhancement in the metabolic and oxidative potential of skeletal muscle than traditional double-leg cycling. Single-leg cycling may therefore provide a valuable training stimulus for trained and clinical populations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bicycling / physiology*
  • Energy Metabolism / physiology*
  • Exercise / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leg / physiology
  • Male
  • Muscle Contraction / physiology*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Oxygen Consumption / physiology*
  • Physical Fitness / physiology*