A comparison of maximum oxygen uptake determination by bicycle ergometry at various pedaling frequencies and by treadmill running at various speeds

Abstract

Tests of performance on a bicycle ergometer have routinely been standardized with pedaling frequencies of up to 60 rpm. Only rarely have higher speeds been used. It may be hypothesized than a higher VO2, more closely approximating the maximum attainable by treadmill running, may be achieved in bicycle ergometry if higher pedal frequencies are used so that premature fatigue of the leg musculature does not obscure the comparison. Even in treadmill running it remains equivocal which combination of speed and grade of running will produce a maximum VO2. Five male subjects performed maximally at pedal frequencies of 60, 80, 100 and 120 rpm and running speeds of 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, and 7.5 mph, on a bicycle and treadmill respectively. Power output on the bicycle and increasing grade sequence on the treadmill were maintained constant for each speed investigated. The highest VO2 attained in each test was measured and compared both within and between the modes of testing. It was confirmed that peak VO2 during bicycle ergometry is significantly less than VO2 max attained in treadmill running. Pedal frequencies of 80 and 100 rpm produced optimal VO2's in ergometry. No differences were noted between VO2's determined at any speed of treadmill running. Subjects preferred 60 or 80 rpm in ergometry and 6.0 and 7.0 mph in treadmill running; 120 rpm and 7.5 mph in bicycling and treadmill running, respectively, were generally disliked.

Does Elastic Energy Enhance Work and Efficiency in the Stretch-Shortening Cycle?

“…However, we do not subscribe to the view that the muscles merely act as force generators. For that, we feel, the metabolic costs of running are too high: Subjects not specifically trained in either running or cycling always show a larger oxygen consumption during maximal running than during maximal cycling (Matsui, Kitamura, & Miyamura, 1978;McKay &Banister, 1976;McNab, Conger, & Taylor, 1969). It would be hard to explain the high requirement of metabolic energy if running were predominantly driven by isometrically contracting muscles.…”

Clinical exercise testing with reference to lung diseases: indications, standardization and interpretation strategies. ERS Task Force on Standardization of Clinical Exercise Testing. European Respiratory Society

“…During treadmill exercise testing a somewhat larger muscle mass can be brought to bear than in cycle ergometry, leading to a greater stress of the organ systems mediating the exercise response. On average, maximal oxygen uptake is reported to be 5-10% higher on a treadmill than on a cycle ergometer [119][120][121][122], This may be important to detect abnormalities (i.e. cardiac ischaemia) that occur only with the highest metabolic demand.…”

“…It should be appreciated that there are (modest) systematic differ ences between auscultated and intra-arterial blood pres sure measurements [121,171]. Miniature transducers that can be attached to the arm while the subjects exer cises are available.…”

The Complex Reality of VO2 Kinetics to Steady State: Reassessment of the Models Used to Quantify and Interpret VO2 Kinetics, Steady State, and Time to Steady State

“…Within the literature, there are varying results surrounding cadence selection, aerobic efficiency, and V O2 (McKay & Banister, 1976;Chavarren & Calbert, 1999;Lepers et al, 2001;Argentin et al, 2006;Whitty et al, 2009;Hill & Vingren, 2012).…”

“…From this information, it was decided that the participants of the studies within this Thesis would be allowed to decide their own comfortable cycling cadence at a moderate workload. The advised cadence of 80-105 rpm was chosen because of discussions within past research (McKay & Banister, 1976;Chavarren & Calbet, 1999).…”