Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to assess the acute effects of posture position (upright vs. semi recumbent) during mild to moderate-intensity cycling exercise and recovery on cardiovascular indices in young healthy adults as there is little information on this subject.
Material and Methods A randomized cross-over study of young healthy volunteers performed 2 sets of submaximal exercise tests during upright and recumbent cycle ergometry. Cardiovascular indices were determined using a noninvasive cardiac output measurement including heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO). Blood pressure was measured manually. Cardiovascular indices were measured at rest, during exercise and post-exercise.
Results Cardiac indices including CO and SV were greater in the recumbent position compared to the upright position, p < 0.05, during resting phase. Blood pressure was similar in the both positions during the resting phase.
In phase I, CO, SV, HR and systolic BP were greater in the recumbent position than the upright position. However, CO, HR and systolic BP but not SV were greater with upright cycling than recumbent cycling during the second phase, p < 0.05.
During recovery time, CO, HR and SV returned to the baseline measurements more quickly in the recumbent position compared to the upright position.
Discussion Exercise in the recumbent position had less stress on cardiovascular system and could be beneficial for patients with cardiovascular limitations.
Conclusions Clinicians and exercise physiologists should consider the effect of body position when prescribing and designing an exercise program for healthy individuals and patients.