Impact of ICARE Training Speed and Motor Assistance on Cardiovascular Response

Purpose: A motor-assisted elliptical, ICARE, is used to address walking and fitness goals; yet, only limited data guide understanding of the impact of ICARE training parameters (e.g., speed and motor assistance) on cardiovascular response. A repeated-measures design investigated the influence of 5 predetermined ICARE speeds (25, 35, 45, 55, and 65 revolutions per minute) and 2 motor-assistance levels (with and without assistance) on heart rate (HR), Borg ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and blood pressure (BP). Methods: Ten healthy participants\u27 HR, RPE, and BP were recorded during steady state Active Assist (ICARE\u27s motor assisting leg movement) and Active Assist Plus exercise (without motor\u27s assistance) at 5 speeds. Results: Significant main effects on HR were documented for ICARE speed (F[4,36] = 77.313, P \u3c .001) and motor assistance (F[1,36] = 224.813, P \u3c .001), and an interaction (F[4,36] = 4.410, P = .005). Significant main effects on RPE were documented for speed (F[4,36] = 47.106, P \u3c .001) and motor assistance (F[1,36] = 24.929, P \u3c .001). Significant main effects on systolic BP were documented for speed (F[4,36] = 78.849, P \u3c .001) and motor assistance (F[1,36] = 6.911, P = .027), and an interaction (F[4,36] = 5.695, P = .001). Only the main effect of motor assistance on diastolic BP was significant (F[1,36] = 7.917, P = .020). Conclusions: Increases in ICARE speed and decreases in motor assistance contributed to clinically relevant increases in HR, RPE, and systolic BP in a cohort of young, nondisabled adults