Key result
Combined arm and leg exercise increases oxygen consumption versus single-limb exercise despite similar perceived exertion.
Why the study?
The study aimed to examine relative cardiorespiratory and perceptual responses to upper body ergometry, lower body ergometry, and combined upper and lower body ergometry across increasing exercise intensities.
Does combined upper and lower body ergometry elicit different cardiorespiratory and perceptual responses compared to separate upper or lower body ergometry in healthy young men?
Does combined upper and lower body ergometry elicit different cardiorespiratory and perceptual responses compared to separate upper or lower body ergometry in healthy young men?
Combined upper and lower body exercise allows for higher power output and caloric expenditure with similar cardiovascular strain as upper body exercise alone.
Hypothesis-generating for combined ergometry to boost caloric expenditure with similar strain; prospective trials needed before clinical use.
BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to examine the relative cardiorespiratory and perceptual responses to upper body ergometry, lower body ergometry, and combined upper and lower body ergometry at increasing exercising intensities. METHODS: Eight healthy males between 19 and 30 years of age completed three exercise sessions over seven days that included graded leg ergometry, arm ergometry, and combined arm and leg ergometry in counterbalanced fashion. During leg-only and arm-only sessions, participants exercised at workloads of 0, 32, 64, and 95 W. The combined session involved simultaneous arm and leg ergometry at 0, 32, 64, and 95 W, thus eliciting double the total power output of arm-only and leg-only sessions. RESULTS: At all workloads, oxygen consumption and minute ventilation responses were greater during combined arm and leg exercise than during leg-only or arm-only exercise. However, the pattern of changes in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, rate pressure product, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were similar in response to arm-only and combined upper and lower body exercise, despite combined exercise involving double the workload. These cardiorespiratory and perceptual responses were significantly lower during leg-only only exercise. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study add to limited research comparing physiological and perceptual responses to upper, lower, and combined upper and lower body exercise. The findings highlight heightened cardiorespiratory and perceptual responses to upper body exercise alone or in combination with lower body exercise. Training that combines upper and lower body may create higher power output and elicit greater caloric expenditure while eliciting similar cardiovascular responses as upper body only exercise at moderate and higher intensities.
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Ryan et al. (2023) studied Healthy (n=8). Combined arm and leg ergometry vs. Arm-only and leg-only ergometry was evaluated on Cardiorespiratory and perceptual responses (oxygen consumption, minute ventilation, heart rate, blood pressure, RPE). Combined arm and leg exercise elicited greater oxygen consumption and minute ventilation than single-limb exercise, but similar heart rate and perceived exertion as arm-only exercise.
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