Effect of Arm and Leg Ergometry on Respiro-circulatory Responses; Comparisons with Maximum Voluntary Exercise.

Among I I healthy male college students, we investigated respiro-circulatory responses dur ing arm and leg ergometry of the maximum voluntary exercise for similar period using the same bicycle ergometer. Performed ergometry time (Time) and rate of percieved exertion (RPE) were both similar be tween arm and leg ergometry. The percentage of upper exercise to lower exercises was 65% in oxygen uptake (VO2/W), 90% in heart rate (HR) and 38% in work rate. Arms ergometry showed a significantly smaller effect on respiro-circulatory responses (p<0.0I ), compared with leg ergometry. The percentage of AT to VO2max was 53% in leg ergometry, and 44% in arm ergometry. These results suggest that arm and leg ergometry may induce different resoiro-circulatory responses. Further studies are needed to elucidate factors causing such a difference.