Physiologic responses to arm ergometry exercise relative to age and gender

Abstract

Arm ergometry exercise testing is a valuable alternative method used in the evaluation and management of patients with both cardiac disease and lower limb impairment. The purpose of this study is to provide information concerning the physiologic responses of normal healthy subjects to arm ergometry relative to age and gender, which could serve as a standard for comparison. Eighty healthy subjects (age 22 to 59 years) cycled at 75 to 80 rpm (on a bicycle adapted for arm ergometry) starting at a power output of 10 W, increasing at 10 W/2 min until exhaustion. Sixty subjects were classified on the basis of age into three groups, each with 10 men and 10 women. Men achieved significantly (p less than 0.001) higher power output (95 +/- 25 W) and oxygen consumption (20.7 +/- 3.9 ml/kg per min) than did women (56 +/- 19 W and 15.5 +/- 3.1 ml/kg per min, respectively). The heart rate response to total body oxygen demand during arm ergometry was significantly higher in women than in men (p less than 0.001). These findings were also present when men and women of each age group were analyzed separately. Older subjects reached a significantly (p less than 0.02) lower peak power output than did younger subjects although they reached a similar level of oxygen consumption. Separate regression equations for predicting oxygen consumption at each power output were formulated for men and women and validated in 20 other subjects. Small differences in measured and predicted oxygen consumption at each stage were found. These data provide additional information concerning arm ergometry testing and should prove useful in diagnostic exercise testing and cardiac rehabilitation.

Recovery After Total Hip Joint Arthroplasty in Elderly Patients With Osteoarthritis: Positive Effect of Upper Limb Interval-Training

“…All the tests on the arm crank ergometer began after 2 minutes of seated rest, followed by a 3-minute warm-up with no load, during which the subjects were familiarized with the working position. After a further 2 minutes of seated rest the exercise began at a power output of 10 W for 2 minutes, followed by a 10 W increment every 2 minutes using alternately an adapted increase in pedalling speed or friction resistance (11,12). The pedalling speed was between 50 and 70 rotations per minute (rpm) (13).…”

Recommendations for Clinical Exercise Laboratories

“…Accordingly, the rate of increase in heart rate and blood pressure responses during arm ergometry is more rapid. 17 Other physiological responses to dynamic arm exercise, for example, stroke volume and diastolic blood pressure, also differ from those of leg exercise. 20,21 The sensitivity of arm exercise testing for detection of significant coronary artery disease is less than that of treadmill testing and is discussed elsewhere.…”

“…V O 2 requirements during arm cycle ergometry can be determined from formulas that take into account work rate, gender, and subject body weight. 8,17 Other techniques used to test the upper body include rowing machines and air-braked arm/leg ergometers. 18,19 Oxygen uptake during any equivalent submaximal level (eg, 50 W) of arm work exceeds that of leg work.…”

Gender Differences in Circulatory Response Measured by the Double Product Break-Point Method

“…DPBP and AT were observed to be strongly correlated, and inc re ases in the secretory ra te of plasma catecholamine and blood lactate level have been observed in the physiological response during DPBP detection 7) . Balady et al 20) studied the effect of age and gender on the physiological response during exercise and showed that AT was higher in men than in women, and HR at AT was higher in women than in men. In the present study, although DPBP was significantly greater in men than in females, no significant difference was observed between the HR of men and women.…”

“…Because absolute muscle force is proportional to the physiological crosssection of muscles, women usually have less muscle force than men. Muscle force in women is considered to be approximately 55-65% of that in men 20) . The significant increase in SBP and DP at DPBP in men was considered to be related to the greater muscle pumping ability in men than in women.…”