Inter-limb differences in parameters of aerobic function and local profiles of deoxygenation during double-leg and counterweighted single-leg cycling

It is typically assumed that in the context of double-leg cycling, dominant (DOMLEG) and nondominant legs (NDOMLEG) have similar aerobic capacity and both contribute equally to the whole body physiological responses. However, there is a paucity of studies that have systematically investigated maximal and submaximal aerobic performance and characterized the profiles of local muscle deoxygenation in relation to leg dominance. Using counterweighted single-leg cycling, this study explored whether peak O2 consumption (V̇o2peak), maximal lactate steady-state (MLSSp), and profiles of local deoxygenation [HHb] would be different in the DOMLEG compared with the NDOMLEG. Twelve participants performed a series of double-leg and counterweighted single-leg DOMLEG and NDOMLEG ramp-exercise tests and 30-min constant-load trials. V̇o2peak was greater in the DOMLEG than in the NDOMLEG (2.87 ± 0.42 vs. 2.70 ± 0.39 L/min, P < 0.05). The difference in V̇o2peak persisted even after accounting for lean mass (P < 0.05). Similarly, MLSSp was greater in the DOMLEG than in the NDOMLEG (118 ± 31 vs. 109 ± 31 W; P < 0.05). Furthermore, the amplitude of the [HHb] signal during ramp exercise was larger in the DOMLEG than in the NDOMLEG during both double-leg (26.0 ± 8.4 vs. 20.2 ± 8.8 µM, P < 0.05) and counterweighted single-leg cycling (18.5 ± 7.9 vs. 14.9 ± 7.5 µM, P < 0.05). Additionally, the amplitudes of the [HHb] signal were highly to moderately correlated with the mode-specific V̇o2peak values (ranging from 0.91 to 0.54). These findings showed in a group of young men that maximal and submaximal aerobic capacities were greater in the DOMLEG than in the NDOMLEG and that superior peripheral adaptations of the DOMLEG may underpin these differences.