In order to evaluate the determinants of the metabolic cost for cycle ergom
etry, we analyzed the relationship between (V)over dot O-2 and leg mass (LM
) and total body mass (TBM) in 71 randomly-selected sedentary subjects (34
men), aged 20 to 80. Participants performed constant work rate (WR) tests a
t 0, 25, and 50 W (at 60 rpm) for 6 minutes in a randomized sequence: gross
(V)over dot O-2, gross efficiency, and work efficiency were related to TBM
and LM as assessed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. We found that gros
s (V)over dot O-2, and gross efficiency were more strongly related to LM th
an TBM but work efficiency values were independent of both (P > 0.05), Sign
ificantly higher values of (V)over dot O-2/TBM were found in subjects with
large LM/TBM ratios and vice-verse; (V)over dot O-2/LM, however, did not ch
ange with anthropometric characteristics. Gross (V)over dot O-2 (mL/min) wa
s predicted by a LM-based equation (10.6 [WR, W] + 16.8 [LM, kg] +75) with
a mean error below 5%: this equation predicted the cost more accurately tha
n previous TBM-based formulations (P < 0.01). We conclude that leg mass act
ually provides the preferred frame of reference for predicting the oxygen c
ost for cycle ergometry at 60 rpm in sedentary subjects, independent of age
or gender.