Cardio Respiratory Responses between Treadmill and Ergometer Cycle

Abstract

This study was aimed to determine the metabolic and cardio respiratory differences between Treadmill Running and Ergometer cycling. This study was undertaken in research laboratory of physiology department at Thanjavur medical college. 40 persons with the age group of 18-40 Years were taken as subjects. Informed consent was obtained. Experimental protocol was approved by Institutional Ethical Committee. The subjects were performed 3 discontinuous graded tests until exhaustion. In Bicycle, cycling was done for 2 mins at 60rpm. In Treadmill, for first 2 weeks subjects were asked to run at 4-8 mph for 20 minutes& from 3 rd week to 12th week, 30 mins at 4-8 mph. Physiological variables such as Maximal heart rate, maximal oxygen consumption(VO 2 max) ,blood pressure and blood lactate were measured and compared in between Ergometer Cycling and Treadmill Running. The results were statistically analysed.The treadmill group showed higher maximal heart rate &maximal oxygen consumption. Whereas the ergometer cycle group showed higher systolic blood pressure response and higher blood lactate values than treadmill group. On the other hand, treadmill exercise produces less hemodynamic stress on cardiovascular system.