Boryi A Becerra-Patiño, Aura Daniela Montenegro-Bonilla, Carlos F Martínez-Benítez, José Pino-Ortega, Sam Hernández-Jaña, Antonio Castillo-Paredes, Jorge Olivares-Arancibia, Rodrigo Yáñez-Sepúlveda, José Francisco López-Gil
IC was consistently associated with a high-intensity physiological demand and, in several studies, with improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiometabolic risk markers. Within this more limited evidence base, IC has also been examined in specific contexts such as cardiac rehabilitation and weight management in women with overweight, suggesting favorable metabolic adaptations, although the heterogeneity of populations and outcomes across studies warrants caution when generalizing these findings.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Indoor cycling (IC), also known as spinning, is a physical activity that takes place in the gym, where participants with different levels of physical condition, age, and objectives pedal on a modified stationary bike to maintain the rhythm according to the music and the instructor's cues. However, it is necessary to investigate the effects of this practice on people with low levels of physical fitness. The objective of this review was to analyze the scientific literature on the effects of indoor cycling in relation to gender and in terms of physiological indicators, cardiac parameters, and perceived exertion in adults.
METHODS: This systematic review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The following databases were consulted: PubMed (Medline), Web of Science (WoS), and Scopus. The PICO strategy was used to search for documents. To assess the risk of bias, each of the included articles was evaluated using version developed by Law et al.
RESULTS: A 20-minute IC session with an intensity of 80%-90% maximum heart rate (HRmax) confers positive effects on physiological processes. Gender, age, experience, and the use of heart rate monitors do not significantly affect HR or rating of perceived exertion (RPE), while environmental conditions such as sweat rate, in-creased temperature, and humidity significantly influence exercise intensity.
CONCLUSIONS: IC was consistently associated with a high-intensity physiological demand and, in several studies, with improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiometabolic risk markers. Within this more limited evidence base, IC has also been examined in specific contexts such as cardiac rehabilitation and weight management in women with overweight, suggesting favorable metabolic adaptations, although the heterogeneity of populations and outcomes across studies warrants caution when generalizing these findings.