Exercise reponses during a maximal Krankcycle and cycle ergometer test

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare exercise responses during maximal Krankcycle and cycle ergometer tests. Methods: Fourteen apparently healthy subjects, aged 22.9 + .95 years, volunteered for the study. The subjects performed five 10-minute habituation trials on a Krankcycle prior to performing their maximal exercise tests. Subjects then completed a maximal Krankcycle and cycle ergometer test in random order. HRmax was measured with radiotelemetry while VO2 was measured using an AEI metabolic system. RPE was assessed using the 6-20 Borg RPE scale at the end of each stage. During the Krankcycle test, arm specific RPE was measured to assess upper body fatigue in addition to total body RPE. Results: VO2max for men and women was 12% and 16% higher on the cycle ergometer, respectively. No difference in HRmax was seen between tests. Higher HRs and lower O2 pulse values were seen at submaximal workloads on the Krankcycle, indicating a pressor response. Maximal workload was 261 watts for the cycle ergometer test compared to 151 watts during the Krankcycle test. Conclusions: On average, subjects had lower VO2max values on the KrankcycIe compared to the cycle ergometer. Higher HRs were seen on the Krankcycle at any given submaximal workload, indicating that exercise prescription on a Krankcycle should not be prescribed based on lower body workloads.