Albert E. Pels

Effects of leg press training on cycling, leg press, and running peak cardiorespiratory measures

Six males and seven females trained 3 d per wk (30 min at 80 to 85% heart rate reserve) for 20 wk on a leg press apparatus. A progressive exercise test was administered on a cycle ergometer, leg press apparatus, and treadmill before and after training. Before training, peak oxygen consumption (VO2, ml X kg-1 X min-1) during the leg press test was higher for the males (23.9 +/- 1.60, mean +/- SE) compared to the females (19.5 +/- 2.40, P less than or equal to 0.05). Peak VO2 during the cycling (males = 36.6 +/- 2.65, females = 28.5 +/- 2.35) and treadmill (males = 39.8 +/- 2.04, females = 33.2 +/- 2.64) tests was also different between the sexes, and 30 to 40% higher than during the leg press test (P less than or equal to 0.05). Peak heart rate (beats X min-1) was not different between the sexes (P greater than 0.05), yet was 11% lower during the leg press test (165 +/- 3.5) compared to the cycling (184 +/- 2.8) and treadmill (187 +/- 1.3) tests (P less than or equal to 0.05). After training, peak VO2 during the cycling and treadmill tests increased 10 to 15%, compared to 35% during the leg press test (P less than or equal to 0.05). The only change in peak heart rate was a 6% increase during the leg press test (P less than or equal to 0.05). Although peak VO2 on the leg press apparatus was lower than on the cycle ergometer and treadmill, leg press exercise elicited a sufficient stimulus for increasing peak VO2 on the three testing modes.

Functional translation of exercise responses from graded exercise testing to exercise training

This study attempts to develop a quantitative approach to the prescription of absolute exercise intensity during level ground ambulation (min/mile) or cycle ergometry (kpm) from responses observed during GXT. A total of 345 subjects performed GXT and exercise training sessions with either the Bruce treadmill protocol and level ground ambulation (N = 154) or cycle ergometry (N = 191). Responses from 90% of each group were used to generate equations for predicting training pace (or power output) from the time (or power output) during the GXT when target HR was achieved. FAI was also included in the prediction of training pace (or power output). The remaining 10% of subjects in each group were used to cross-validate the prediction equations. The correlation between the time (or power output) during GXT when the training HR was observed and the pace of ambulation (or power output) was 0.70 for treadmill walking and 0.88 for cycle-cycle. Correlations were increased by the addition of FAI to the prediction equation. The results of this investigation suggest that the absolute intensity of exercise for training can be predicted accurately from GXT results.

FUNCTIONAL TRANSLATION OF EXERCISE RESPONSES FROM GRADED EXERCISE TESTING TO EXERCISE TRAINING USING CYCLE ERGOMETRY

This study attempts to develop a quantitative approach to the prescription of absolute exercise intensity during level ground ambulation (min/mile) or cycle ergometry (kpm) from responses observed during GXT. A total of 345 subjects performed GXT and exercise training sessions with either the Bruce treadmill protocol and level ground ambulation (N = 154) or cycle ergometry (N = 191). Responses from 90% of each group were used to generate equations for predicting training pace (or power output) from the time (or power output) during the GXT when target HR was achieved. FAI was also included in the prediction of training pace (or power output). The remaining 10% of subjects in each group were used to cross-validate the prediction equations. The correlation between the time (or power output) during GXT when the training HR was observed and the pace of ambulation (or power output) was 0.70 for treadmill walking and 0.88 for cycle-cycle. Correlations were increased by the addition of FAI to the prediction equation. The results of this investigation suggest that the absolute intensity of exercise for training can be predicted accurately from GXT results.