626 Physiological and Perceptual Responses at Submaximal and Maximal Capacity in Six Modes of Exercise

This study was designed to compare maximum capacity (VO2max) and ventilatory threshold (VT) for leg only and arm plus leg exercise leg: treadmill (TM), cycle ergometer (CE), stairclimber (SC), and arm leg combined: Schwinn AirDyne (AD), NordicTrack cross-country ski simulator (NT), and NordicRow rower (NR) .It was anticipated that the inclusion of the increased muscle mass of the upper-body would augment the leg alone V02max, and alter the VT as well.Eight untrained female volunteers were used as subjects.VO2max was elicited using incremental protocols designed to cause volitional fatigue within 20 minutes.Repeated measures ANOVA was used for data analysis (P<0.05).Differences were only noted between the highest and lowest VO2max means (AD and NR, 2.62 and 2.33 liters/min respectively).No differences were found in the maximum heart rate or relative perceived exertion (RPE) measurements.Significant differences in oxygen consumption at the VT were: CE (1.31 liters/min) vs TM (1.64 liters/min), AD (1.62 liters/min), NR (1.65 liters/min) and NT (1.79 liters/min).When grouped arm-leg combined VT's were significantly higher than those of the leg alone exercises (1.68 vs. 1.46 L/min respectively).Significant differences noted when VT was expressed as a percentage of VO2max were: CE (53%) vs. TM (64%) and NT(73%); also NT(73%) vs. SC (60%) and AD (62%).There was no statistical difference in RPE at VT.Results indicate that energy expenditure is higher at VT in combined arm-leg exercise, and would suggest that those higher expenditures could be maintained for a longer time.