original post: http://www.miragecycling.org/cgi-bin/gen.pl
Cyclists needed for research study
Date posted: 1/28/2004 The Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research is requesting a call for subjects to be involved in a long-term study on the potential benefits of the “Rotor cranks” Pedaling System, now available in the US. Those of you who have seen these on Rich Wharton and Mike Brown’s bikes and wondered what they were, well, now is your chance to find out.
There is one catch: In order to maintain objectivity and to cover the costs of the cranks, the Cooper Institute is requiring a $375 deposit, which is 100% refundable at the end of the study. The cranks will be installed by Richard Wharton, and the study will last probably four to six weeks. This will give subjects’ legs enough time to adapt to the unique pedaling sensation of the Rotors. At the end of the test, if subjects choose to keep the Rotors, then the deposit will go towards the purchase of the units. If the Rotors fail to produce a quantifiable result or improvement, and the subjects do not wish to keep the cranks, the deposit is 100% refunded.
Subjects will receive AT LEAST TWO (probably 3) Vo2 max tests, one on regular cranks & a scientific calibrated ergometer, the other two on Computrainer’s brand-new Velotron Erg, again one on a basic set of cranks, and the other on the Rotors. Several 20k Time Trials on both regular cranks and Rotorcranks will be necessary.
Research results will be publish in the Fall 2004 ACSM Journal of Sports Medicine and wlll be presented in the spring of 2005.
Dr. Conrad Earnest needs 8 subjects. Users must be comfortable with converting a regular road bike over to Rotor Cranks, and must use English-Thread, 172.5 or 175mm crank lengths. These will be low-friction 2004 models.
This will be the most scientific, objective study of these cranks to date. For more information on them, go to: http:/www.rotorbike.com. The cranks have been studied in Europe for over 5 years, but none of the scientific studies have gone for this length or acquired this much metabolic and bio-mechanical information. Much of the study will occur on the Computrainer Velotron. For information on the Velotron, go to: http:/www.velotron.com.
