Purpose: The present study was undertaken to compare cardiorespiratory, met
abolic, and perceptual responses to upper body exercise on an arm ergometer
(AE) and a modified leg ergometer (LE). Methods: Seventeen male and seven
female subjects completed two experimental trials. During each trial, the s
ubjects performed two successive 8-min steady-state arm crank exercises on
either an AE or an LE. The crank frequency was kept constant at 50 rev.min(
-1) during all exercise bouts. The two power outputs selected were 50 and 7
5 W for male subjects and 25 and 50 W for female subjects. To achieve these
power outputs, the brake resistance was set at 1, 2, and 3 kg at a power o
utput of 25, 50, and 75 W, respectively, for the AE and 0.5, 1, and 1.5 kg
at a power output of 25, 50, and 75 W, respectively, for the LE. Oxygen upt
ake ((V) over dotO(2)), heart rate (HR), respiratory exchange ratio (RER),
expired ventilation ((V) over dot(E)), gross efficiency (GE), and ratings o
f perceived exertion (RPE) were measured every minute during the last 2 min
of each exercise bout. Results: In male subjects, (V) over dotO(2), HR, RE
R, (V) over dot(E), and RPE were higher (P < 0.05), whereas GE was lower (P
< 0.05) during arm crank exercise on an AE than an LE at power outputs of
50 and 70 W. In female subjects, similar differences in these variables bet
ween the two ergometers were also observed when exercise was performed at 5
0 W. However, (V) over dotO(2), RER, (V) over dot(E), and GE did not differ
between the two ergometers when exercise was performed at 25 W. Conclusion
s: Upper body exercise elicits greater cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and pe
rceptual responses on an AE than an LE at the same power output when power
output is computed according to the manufacturer's instructions.