Peak oxygen uptake in arm ergometry: effects of testing protocol.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if a new proposed arm ergometer protocol was advantageous in eliciting higher peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) when compared with two protocols currently referred to in the literature. Ten male subjects were tested on three different exercise protocols; a discontinuous test (DT), a continuous test (CT) and a new proposed jump-max test (JMT). The CT began at a work rate of 33 watts (W) (40 rpm) with the power output (PO) being increased 16 W every 3 minutes. The DT began without resistance on the ergometer flywheel (50 rpm) and the work rate was increased by 25 W every 3 minutes with a 1-minute rest between stages. The JMT began with a 3-minute pretest to determine a PO which elicited a HR of 120 +/- 5 beat min-1. After a 2-minute rest, subjects began exercise at the predetermined work rate (80 rpm) with the PO being increased 20 W each minute of the test. Oxygen uptake was measured minute by minute via open circuit spirometry. Peak VO2 was higher (p less than 0.05) in the JMT (mean +/- SEM = 2.36 +/- 0.06 l.min-1) when compared with either (means +/- SEM = 2.16 +/- 0.07 l.min-1) or the CT (means +/- SEM = 2.04 +/- 0.10 l.min-1). No difference (p greater than 0.05) existed in peak VO2 between the CT and the DT. These data suggest that the proposed JMT may result in a higher measured peak VO2 in subjects when compared with either DT or CT of moderate to long duration.