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Int J Sports Med 2006; 27(8): 610-616
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-865857
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Influence of Ramp Rate on V·O2peak and “Excess” V·O2 during Arm Crank Ergometry

P. M. Smith1 , I. Amaral1 , M. Doherty1 , M. J. Price2 , A. M. Jones3
  • 1Centre for Sport and Exercise Science, University of Greenwich, Chatham, Kent, United Kingdom
  • 2School of Science and the Environment, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
  • 3Department of Exercise and Sport Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Alsager, United Kingdom
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Publication History

Accepted after revision: May 30, 2005

Publication Date:
30 August 2005 (online)

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Abstract

The principal aim of this study was to examine how different ramp rates influenced the attainment of peak physiological responses during incremental arm crank ergometry (ACE). Additionally, the study examined whether there was any evidence for the development of an “excess” V·O2 during ACE due to upward curvi-linearity in the V·O2-work rate relationship, and whether this was influenced by the ramp rate. Sixteen physically active, though non-specifically trained, men (mean ± s age 30 ± 8 years; height 1.79 ± 0.07 m; body mass 84.7 ± 13.2 kg) volunteered to participate. Having completed a familiarisation test, all subjects returned to the laboratory to complete two ramp tests on an electrically-braked ergometer in a counter-balanced order. Both ramp tests started at 60 W with work rate subsequently incremented by either 6 or 12 W · min-1. Pulmonary gas exchange was measured breath-by-breath throughout the tests. Subjects achieved a greater final work rate during the 12 W · min-1 test compared to the 6 W · min-1 test (168 ± 28 vs. 149 ± 26 W; p < 0.001). The V·O2peak (3.06 ± 0.65 vs. 2.96 ± 0.48 L · min-1; p = 0.27), HRpeak (179 ± 15 vs. 177 ± 16 b · min-1; p = 0.17) and V·Epeak (112 ± 22 vs. 105 ± 16 L · min-1; p = 0.09) were not different between the tests, but V·CO2peak (3.54 ± 0.64 vs. 3.27 ± 0.46 L · min-1; p = 0.01) RERpeak (1.17 ± 0.07 vs. 1.11 ± 0.06; p < 0.001), and end-exercise blood (lactate) (11.9 ± 2.1 vs. 10.8 ± 2.6 mmol · L-1; p = 0.005) were all higher in the 12 W · min-1 test. An “excess” V·O2 was observed in 13 out of 16 tests at 12 W · min-1 and in 15 out of 16 tests at 6 W · min-1. Neither the magnitude of the “excess” V·O2 (0.42 ± 0.41 vs. 0.37 ± 0.18 L · min-1; p = 0.66) nor the V·O2 at which the V·O2-work rate relationship departed from linearity (2.17 ± 0.34 vs. 2.18 ± 0.32 L · min-1; p = 0.94) were significantly different between the two ramp tests. These data indicate that differences in ramp rate within the range of 6 - 12 W · min-1 influence the peak values of work rate, V·CO2 and RER, but do not influence peak values of V·O2 or HR during ACE. The development of an “excess” V·O2 appears to be a common feature of ramp exercise in ACE, although the mechanistic basis for this effect is presently unclear.

Key words

Exercise testing - V·O2 kinetics - O2 uptake - V·O2 slow component

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P. M. Smith

Centre for Sport and Exercise Science, University of Greenwich (at Medway)

Chatham Maritime

Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TB

United Kingdom

Email: pmsmith@ntlworld.com

Email: sp70@gre.ac.uk