The Effect of Various Motion Cycles on Human Power Output

Abstract

The concept of measuring man's power output is not new, and indeed since about the turn of the century various devices have been used to measure the power man can generate when performing various tasks, such as cycling, hand-cranking, rowing, etc. Perhaps the task most thoroughly investigated is that of cycling, and from experiments, optimum cranking speeds and loads have been established corresponding to maximum power output over a given period of time. However, one important factor has been omitted in the majority of such studies. This factor is the effect of variation of muscle speed during the contraction period in each cycle. It is shown that this effect is marked and that under certain conditions power outputs greater than those currently attainable may be realised, the increase being of the order of 10–15 per cent. To achieve a desired speed-time relation, the motion of the muscle must be forced by external mechanical means, but this is readily accomplished without having to make use of an external power source.