Comparison of oxygen uptake during and after the execution of resistance exercises and exercises performed on ergometers, matched for intensity

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the values of oxygen uptake (VO2) during and after strength training exercises (STe) and ergometer exercises (Ee), matched for intensity and exercise time. Eight men (24 ± 2.33 years) performed upper and lower body cycling Ee at the individual’s ventilatory threshold (VE/VCO2). The STe session included half squats and the bench press which were performed with a load at the individual blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol/l. Both sessions lasted 30 minutes, alternating 50 seconds of effort with a 10 second transition time between upper and lower body work. The averaged overall VO2 between sessions was significantly higher for Ee (24.96 ± 3.6 ml·kg·min-1) compared to STe (21.66 ± 1.77 ml·kg·min-1) (p = 0.035), but this difference was only seen for the first 20 minutes of exercise. Absolute VO2 values between sessions did not reveal differences. There were more statistically greater values in Ee compared to STe, regarding VO2 of lower limbs (25.44 ± 3.84 ml·kg·min-1 versus 21.83 ± 2·24 ml·kg·min-1; p = 0.038) and upper limbs (24.49 ± 3.84 ml·kg·min-1 versus 21.54 ± 1.77 ml·kg·min-1; p = 0.047). There were further significant differences regarding the moment effect (p<0.0001) of both STe and Ee sessions. With respect to the moment × session effect, only VO2 5 minutes into recovery showed significant differences (p = 0.017). In conclusion, although significant increases in VO2 were seen following Ee compared to STe, it appears that the load/intensity, and not the material/equipment used for the execution of an exercise, are variables that best influence oxygen uptake.

Similar acute physiological responses from effort and duration matched leg press and recumbent cycling tasks

“…Overall results indicated that, for the physiological variables examined, responses to resistance training or ‘cardio’ exercise modalities are similar when effort and duration are matched, supporting previous speculation ( Fisher & Steele, 2014 ). This has been reported previously for low effort, duration matched exercise approaches ( Vilaca-Alves et al, 2016 ; Kuznetsov et al, 2011 ). However, our study would appear to be the first to examine ecologically valid high intensity of effort exercise.…”

“…For example, it is thought that, similarly to ‘cardio’ modalities, resistance training to a high intensity of effort results in maximal aerobic and anaerobic metabolism, and as such local working muscle oxygen utilisation (VO 2 ) and lactate production ( Steele et al, 2012 ). Indeed, when matched for physiological effort (at the load/power eliciting individual ventilatory threshold/onset of blood lactate accumulation at 4 mmol L −1 ), resistance training modalities (half squats and bench press) have been shown to elicit similar acute VO 2 to ‘cardio’ modality exercise (lower and upper body cycling ( Vilaca-Alves et al, 2016 ). Further, high effort resistance training increases muscle water content ( Giessing et al, 2016 ; Ribiero et al, 2014 ) resulting in muscle swelling that appears to be largely independent of external load ( Loenneke et al, 2016 ).…”

“…However, though studies independently report many responses to be similar, studies conducting direct comparisons of resistance training and ‘cardio’ exercise modalities using ecologically valid approaches (i.e., reflecting typical training approaches employed in real word settings) are lacking. Previous studies comparing acute responses to effort matched resistance training and ‘cardio’ exercise modalities have either not matched protocols employed for duration or used approaches that are not representative of typical exercise programs ( Vilaca-Alves et al, 2016 ; Noble et al, 2017 ; Kuznetsov et al, 2011 ). Considering this, the aim of the present study was to examine the effects of training utilising traditional resistance training (leg press) or ‘cardio’ exercise (recumbent cycle ergometry) modalities whilst attempting to approximately control for effort and duration within ecologically valid protocols, upon acute physiological responses (VO 2 , respiratory exchange ratio [RER], blood lactate, energy expenditure, muscle swelling, and electromyography).…”

Similar acute physiological responses from effort and duration matched leg press and recumbent cycling tasks

“…Overall results indicated that, for the physiological variables examined, responses to resistance training or 'cardio' exercise modalities are similar when effort and duration are matched, supporting previous speculation (Fisher & Steele, 2014). This has been reported previously for low effort, duration matched exercise approaches (Vilaca-Alves et al, 2016;Kuznetsov et al, 2011). However, our study would appear to be the first to examine ecologically valid high intensity of effort exercise.…”

Effort and duration matched ‘High Intensity Interval Training’ using cycle ergometry compared to leg press resistance training

“…Acute studies that have matched conditions by effort and duration have found similar physiological responses between resistance training and 'cardio' modalities Vilaça-Alves et al, 2016). Steele et al (2018) examined the effect of modality upon acute physiological response during high intensity of effort interval based exercises; leg press exercise (4 x 12RM using 2 seconds concentric and 3 seconds eccentric repetition durations thus meaning each set lasted ~ 60 seconds), and cycle ergometry (4x 60 seconds bouts using 6 resistance level permitting 80 -100 rpm but culminating with being unable to sustain the minimum cadence for the final 5 -10 seconds).…”