Ventilatory threshold and work efficiency during exercise on a cycle and rowing ergometer

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of increasing specific (rowing ergometer) and non-specific (cycle ergometer) workloads on parameters relating to the ventilatory threshold (Tvent) and work efficiency. When highly trained male rowers were tested using non-specific workloads, their %VO2 max values at Tvent were close to those characteristic of untrained subjects (74.6 +/- 6.2% VO2 max). However, when we tested the same subjects using specific workloads, we recorded values typical of highly trained athletes (85.0 +/- 4.4% VO2 max). For the non-specific exercise on the cycle ergometer, we recorded work efficiency values close to those of untrained subjects (22.8 +/- 2.1%); however, for the specific exercise on the rowing ergometer, we recorded much lower values (16.4 +/- 3.1%). Because of the results of the non-specific submaximal exercise tests, we suggest caution in the interpretation of physiological variables that may be sensitive to training status. The evaluation of Tvent and work efficiency as supplementary parameters during laboratory studies will enable researchers to ascertain the effectiveness of the training process used, as well as indicating the specificity of the loading apparatus.

Ventilation behavior During upper-body incremental exercise

“…Values of the V E time constant at approximately 59 seconds have been found during upper-limb exercise, with higher variability in moderate workloads than in heavy workloads (3). Although similar to other studies (1,5), it is possible that the workload increased-duration relationship used here has not allowed a complete V E response during each increase of workload, leading to delayed response of V E at each stage. As a consequence of delay, the first linearity break point of V E could be delayed, and, consequently, this would lead toward the second linearity break point, providing only 1 break point and making the Three-SEG fitting unsuccessful.…”

“…Nevertheless, because the V E time constant depends on increased magnitude, it is unlikely that the V E behavior observed here would be different from the majority of studies that identified the ventilatory threshold of the V E curve during upper-body exercise (1,5). Therefore, it is possible that a best Bi-SEG fitting could also be found in previous studies, with only 1 ventilatory threshold identified.…”

“…Consequently, it could be hypothesized that this different pattern in V E during upper-body exercise would create a sharper increase in the V E curve with 2 outstanding break points, making the VT1 and VT2 identification possible during an upper-body incremental test. However, there are no studies that have investigated this phenomenon during upper-body incremental tests, although some studies have identified only 1 ventilatory threshold by means of the V E curve (1,20). How different V E patterns during upper-body exercise could interfere with the presence of 1 or 2 ventilatory thresholds still needs to be answered.…”

Oxygen uptake, heart rate, and work rate at ventilatory threshold for treadmill walking against a horizontal impeding force

“…It is well known that the maximal oxygen uptake depends on the muscle mass recruited for exercise [12][13][14][15]. Similarly, some reports showed that 2 @VT during rowing or running was greater than that during a cycle ergometer exercise [7,8]. It is plausible that whole body exercises as compared with partial exercises yield higher values for aerobic parameters.…”

“…Therefore, it would be expected that aerobic conditioning at the VT level during horizontal load walking would be safe and useful for an exercise prescription. In contrast, several studies have found that the VT differed between different modes of exercise [7,8]. Therefore, it was assumed that the VT of horizontal load walking could be characterized by comparing it with that of a cycle ergometer exercise.…”