Abstract
Bungee Fitness is a new exercise format using common physical movements (i.e. burpee, running, squat), as the participant is partially unweighted with elastic (Bungee) cords suspended from the ceiling.
PURPOSE: This study was designed to measure the caloric expenditure of Bungee Fitness.
METHODS: Twelve subjects, (8 females, 4 males age 22.1 ± 1.2 yr, height 169.8 ± 9.4 cm, body mass 65.4 ± 9.4 kg.) volunteered to participate in randomized trials consisting of the following movements: burpee (B) at 20/min, cardiojump (CJ) at 125/min, run (R) at 130 steps/min, and squat (S) at 30/min unloaded to 12% of body mass. Oxygen consumption and heart rate were obtained throughout each five minute steady state trial, with a minimum of ten minutes between crossover trials. Subjects mimicked a projected video of each trial to ensure identical movement patterns and frequency of movement, while provided with instantaneous feedback for compliance. Statistical analysis by ANOVA (p < .05) was applied to the data.
RESULTS: kcal/hr: B 489.6 ± 112.9, CJ 539 ± 120.6, R 474.3 ± 92.1, and S 354.1 ± 85.6; VO2 (mL/kg-min): B 25.8 ± 3.6, CJ 27.5 ± 3.1, R 22.5 ± 6.4 and S 18.4 ± 3.3; and HR (b/min): B 149.5 ± 15.5, CJ 158.0 ± 17.0, R 144.1 ± 18.1, and S 136.3 ± 23.8. Caloric expenditure,VO2, and HR were significantly different among all trials. CJ required the greatest physiological response and S was least.
CONCLUSION: Bungee Fitness can be considered a moderate to vigorous cardiovascular and metabolic stimulus ranging from 5.2-7.9 METS and 70-82% HR max. Bungee suspension facilitates a partial unweighting relative to body mass, so participants can experience a reduced orthopedic load as compared to fully weighted activities of walking, running or aerobic dance.