Response similarities between cycle and rowing ergometry

Objective. The purpose of the current study was to confirm the unexpected similarities among progressive oxygen uptake (VO2), heart rate (HR), and lactate (L-a) responses between cycle and rowing ergometry. Design. Eight recreationally active adults performed two progressive submaximal testing protocols, separated by 2-7 days. Subjects completed 3-min stages at 50, 100, and 150 W on both a cycle and rowing ergometer. VO2 and. HR were recorded every 30 s. At the conclusion of each 3-min stage, blood lactate was measured. Main outcome measures. For each variable, a repeated measures two-way (mode by intensity) factorial ANOVA was used to determine main effects for mode, intensity, and interaction. Results. There was no significant main effect (p > 0.05) for mode on VO2 (cycle M = 25.88 +/- 2.96 ml kg(-1) min(-1), rowing M = 25.94 +/- 2.74), HR (cycle M = 136.75 +/- 10.27 b min(-1), rowing M = 135.30 +/- 9.08), or L-a (cycle M = 4.34 +/- 1.06 mmol 1(-1), rowing M = 3.78 +/- 98). Conclusions. Results of the current study provide evidence that cycling and rowing exercise may be used interchangeably during rehabilitation. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.