Effects of exercise modes on oxygen uptake efficiency slope

BACKGROUND: to investigate: 1) whether the logarithmic relation between oxygen uptake (<(V)over dot>O-2) and minute ventilation (<(V) over dot>E) is held irrespective of exercise modes, i.e. treadmill, leg cycling, or arm cranking; and 2) the agreement of oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) among these three different types of exercise. METHODS: twenty-two male volunteers (mean age: 21.3 y.o.) participated in the three types of maximal incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing. RESULTS: logarithmic relations between <(V)over dot>(o2) and <(V) over dot>E were held irrespective of the exercise modes (>0.97 in all exercise modes) even when submaximal exercise data up to respiratory compensation point (RCP) were adopted. Mean OUES values obtained from treadmill (OUESTM), leg cycling (OUESLC) and arm cranking exercise (OUESAC) were 3630 ml/min (Sd=748), 2940 ml/min (Sd=579), and 1680 ml/min (Sd=444), respectively (p<0.01). also, OUESAC calculated with submaximal exercise data up to rcp was statistically lower than that obtained from maximal exercise (p<0.01), while OUESTM and OUESLC were not. CONCLUSIONS: OUES is influenced by exercise modes. Submaximal exercise up to RCp significantly reduces OUES measurement in arm cranking exercise while it did not in treadmill and leg cycling exercise. these results provide us with useful information as to the interpretation of the measurements of oUeS, especially in patients with cardiovascular, orthopedic, or neurologic conditions who cannot use lower extremities or cannot reach maximal exercise.