Comparisons Between Bicycle Ergometry and Treadmill Walking Maximum Capacity Tests

Measurements of aerobic capacity by three different work tests, namely two cycling tests with pedal frequencies of 60 and 50 rpm respectively and a treadmill walk test, were carried out on 8 male Japanese students studying at the University of California at Santa Barbara. The maximal oxygen uptake (max Vo2) for all three tests was not significantly different (P>0.05). However, ventilatory parameters reflected differing patterns by which the max Vo2 was obtained. The study data indicated that cycling exercises at a pedaling frequency of 60 rpm produced excessive hyperventilation leading to syncope during recovery from exercise.