Physiological Responses and Mechanical Efficiency during Different Types of Ergometric Exercise

Abstract

This study compared the physiological responses and the mechanical efficiency during both arm cranking exercise and leg pedaling exercise with identical work loads, and determined whether arm cranking or unilateral leg pedaling performance could be used to estimate bilateral pedaling exercise capacity. Seven healthy adult males [mean age: 32 (27-36) years old] participated in this study. Arm cranking and leg pedaling exercise tests were carried out using an identical electrically controlled bicycle ergometer. The cranking/pedaling rate was set at 60 rpm. Exercise was performed under the following conditions: Bilateral leg pedaling (BLP), Unilateral leg pedaling (ULP), Bilateral arm cranking (BAC), and Unilateral arm cranking (UAC). By ramp load protocol in gradually increasing 20 W/min stages,. peak oxygen uptake (peak VO 2) and peak heart rate (peak HR) were obtained using BLP, ULP, BAC, and UAC. The oxygen uptake and heart rate obtained using BLP, ULP, BAC, and UAC were compared under three exercise work loads (20 W, 40 W, 60 W). In comparison with ULP and UAC, the values of. peak VO 2 and peak HR in BLP and BAC were high, and the response to the 20 W to 60 W exercise intensities rose in tandem with work load. Differences in physiological response due to disparities in the exerted muscle mass became large and showed a rising trend, particularly in ULP and UAC. There were. no significant correlations between BLP and the other types of exercise (BAC, ULP, UAC) in peak VO 2 and peak HR. In conclusion, the physiological responses in bilateral and unilateral arm/leg exercise at an identical work load depend on the amount of muscle mass exerted. It is hard to estimate the aerobic. work capacity (peak VO 2) using BLP from the results of exercise performed with BAC, ULP, and UAC.

Comparison study of treadmill versus arm ergometry

“…Shiomi et al (2000) also observed a strong correlation (r = 0AE87) between arm crank HR peak and leg cycling HR peak in men. Shiomi et al (2000) also observed a strong correlation (r = 0AE87) between arm crank HR peak and leg cycling HR peak in men.…”

“…The correlation between the HR peak measured in the arm crank test and the treadmill test was significant in men, but not in women (r = 0AE57 in men and r = 0AE16 in women). Shiomi et al (2000) also observed a strong correlation (r = 0AE87) between arm crank HR peak and leg cycling HR peak in men. However, Bar-Or & Zwiren (1975) found a correlation of )0AE25, indicating a low predictability of treadmill HR peak by arm crank HR peak (Bar-Or & Zwiren, 1975).…”

“…Previous studies concerning the measurement of ACE have shown considerable lower _ VO 2peak , HR peak and peak _ VE than that of lower body protocols (Bar-Or & Zwiren, 1975;Bhambhani et al, 1998;Shiomi et al, 2000;Muraki et al, 2004;Sanada et al, 2005). Sanada et al (2005) and Bar-Or & Zwiren (1975) found that upper body ergometry _ VO 2peak was 68% and 63% of treadmill running _ VO 2peak , respectively (Bar-Or & Zwiren, 1975;Sanada et al, 2005).…”

“…(Bar-Or & Zwiren, 1975;Bhambhani et al, 1998;Shiomi et al, 2000;Muraki et al, 2004;Sanada et al, 2005); however, none have compared the most widely used Bruce treadmill test with the current recommended arm crank protocol described by Smith et al (2001). Arm crank ergometry has been gaining popularity as a cardiovascular fitness measurement in individuals who are not able to be tested using lower body methods.…”

“…There have been a P-value *<0AE01 and **<0AE001 compared to women. number of studies comparing physiological responses of both upper and lower body tests (Bar-Or & Zwiren, 1975;Bhambhani et al, 1998;Shiomi et al, 2000;Muraki et al, 2004;Sanada et al, 2005); however, none have compared the most widely used Bruce treadmill test with the current recommended arm crank protocol described by Smith et al (2001). It has been demonstrated that there are different physiological responses between ACE and treadmill ⁄ cycle tests; however, the differences in _ VO 2peak differ between tests.…”