Gender comparison of peak oxygen uptake: repetitive box lifting versus treadmill running

Abstract

The gender differences in peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) for various modes of exercise have been examined previously; however, no direct gender comparisons have been made during repetitive lifting (RL). In the present study the VO2peak between RL and treadmill running (TR) was compared between 20 men [mean (SD) age, height, body mass and body fat: 21 (3) years, 1.79 (0.06) m, 81 (9) kg, 19 (6)%, respectively] and 20 women [mean (SD) age, height, body mass and body fat: 21 (3) years, 1.63 (0.05) m, 60 (7) kg, 27 (6)%, respectively]. VO2peak (l x min[-1]), defined as the highest value obtained during exercise to volitional fatigue, was determined using discontinuous protocols with treadmill grade or box mass incremented to increase exercise intensity. For RL VO2peak, a pneumatically driven shelf was used to lower a loaded box to the floor, and subjects then lifted the box, at a rate of 15 lifts x min(-1). VO2peak (l x min(-1) and ml x kg(-1) x min[-1]) and minute ventilation (VE, l x min[-1]) were determined using an on-line gas analysis system. A two-way repeated measures analysis of variance revealed significant gender effects, with men having higher values for VO2peak (l x min(-1) and ml x kg(-1) x min[-1]) and VE, but women having higher values of the ventilatory equivalent for oxygen (VE/VO2). There were also mode of exercise effects, with TR values being higher for VO2peak (l x min(-1) and ml x kg(-1) x min[-1]) and VE and an interaction effect for VO2peak (l x min(-1) and ml x kg(-1) x min[-1]) and VE/VO2. The women obtained a greater percentage (approximately 84%) of their TR VO2peak during RL than did the men (approximately 79%). There was a marginal tendency for women to decrease and men to increase their VE/VO2 when comparing TR with RL. The magnitude of the gender differences between the two exercise modalities appeared to be similar for heart rate, VE and R, but differed for VO2peak (l x min(-1) and ml x kg(-1) x min[-1]). Lifting to an absolute height (1.32 m for the RL protocol) may present a different physical challenge to men and women with respect to the degree of involvement of the muscle groups used during lifting and ventilation.

Gender differences during treadmill walking with graded loads: biomechanical and physiological comparisons

“…The magnitude of this gender dierence is consistent with that reported in the literature for healthy subjects in this age group during treadmill running (Nindl et al 1998;Sparling 1980). It should be noted, however, that the actual values of the O 2 max were higher than that expected for Canadians of comparable age and could have some implications in the interpretation of the ®ndings of this study (Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology 1996).…”

Effect of menstrual cycle and gender on ventilatory and heart rate responses at the onset of exercise

“…In previous studies, it has been frequently reported that gender does not affect HR at AT or during maximal exercise in young people, whereas the results of studies about the effect of gender on minute ventilation at AT and maximal exercise have been conflicting (Younis et al 1990;Ogawa et al 1992;Helgerud 1994;Rickli et al 1997;Nindl et al 1998). In the present study, it was demonstrated, for the first time, that ventilatory and HR responses at the onset of voluntary exercise and passive movement did not differ between women and men.…”

“…Jones et al (1999) reported that gender appeared to influence sympathetic and cardiovascular responses to various conditions (10, 12, 50%) of inspired oxygen levels. There have also been many studies about the effect of gender on minute ventilation and heart rate (HR) at the anaerobic threshold (AT) or at peak exercise in young people (Younis et al 1990;Ogawa et al 1992;Helgerud 1994;Rickli et al 1997;Nindl et al 1998). According to the results of those studies, while no gender effect seems to exist for HR at AT or peak levels of exercise, a male-female comparison of minute ventilation has been reported with various results.…”

Comparisons of physiological and perceptual responses in healthy men and women during standardized arm cranking and task-specific pushing–pulling

“…Evaluating the worker's performance using traditional aerobic protocols alone (on either a treadmill, cycle, or arm ergometer) instead of task-specific maximal or submaximal aerobic protocols, may or may not identify the individual's true physical capacity (McConnell et al 1984;Khalil et al 1985;Sharp et al 1988;Waters et al 1993;Nindl et al 1998;Bilzon et al 2001Bilzon et al , 2002. Compared to the standardized ergometric protocols, these authors argued that there is considerable variation in human performance in the tasks (e.g., lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, etc.)…”