Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare physiological variables from different upper body positions, upright position (UP) verse aero position (AP), at maximal and submaximal exercise on cycle ergometer. Methods: Ten healthy males (age 23.3±1.0yrs; height 175.6±6.7 cm; weight 72.6±7.3 kg) with no habitual training were recruited to participate. By counter-balanced design, all subjects completed 2 exercise tests under different positions respectively on different days, which were maximal test and 30 minute graded-submaximal exercise test (45% VO2(subscript max), 55% VO2(subscript max), 65% VO2(subscript max) 10 min respectively) in both upright and aero positions. Physiological responses (VO2(subscript max), VO2, V(subscript E), HR) were obtained for analysis. Results: In maximal test with upright position, subjects had significantly greater VO2(subscript max) (41.2±4.9 vs. 37.1±4.6 ml/kg/min, p<.05), V(subscript E)max (126.3±19.7 vs. 113.1±24.6 L/min, p<.05), HRmax (185.6±6.6 vs. 180.7±8.5 beats/min, p<.05) and time to exhaustion (671.7±56.9 vs. 651.6±55.7 sec, p<.05) responses than aero position. In submaximal test at 45% VO2(subscript max), it's noted that significantly greater oxygen uptake (VO2) (19.9±3.4 vs. 20.9±3.6 ml/kg/min, p<.05) and heart rate (HR) (124.4±12.9 vs. 128.3±12.0 beats/min, p<.05) were found in aero position. In submaximal test at 55% VO2(subscript max) and 65% VO2(subscript max), there were no significant differences between two positions. Conclusions: Different body positions affect physiological responses when testing at maximal and 45% VO2(subscript max) submaximal exercise intensities in cycle ergometer. For maximal exercise testing, upright position should be employed in order to achieve individual maximal physiological response on cycle ergometer.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare physiological variables from different upper body positions, upright position (UP) verse aero position (AP), at maximal and submaximal exercise on cycle ergometer. Methods: Ten healthy males (age 23.3±1.0yrs; height 175.6±6.7 cm; weight 72.6±7.3 kg) with no habitual training were recruited to participate. By counter-balanced design, all subjects completed 2 exercise tests under different positions respectively on different days, which were maximal test and 30 minute graded-submaximal exercise test (45% VO2(subscript max), 55% VO2(subscript max), 65% VO2(subscript max) 10 min respectively) in both upright and aero positions. Physiological responses (VO2(subscript max), VO2, V(subscript E), HR) were obtained for analysis. Results: In maximal test with upright position, subjects had significantly greater VO2(subscript max) (41.2±4.9 vs. 37.1±4.6 ml/kg/min, p<.05), V(subscript E)max (126.3±19.7 vs. 113.1±24.6 L/min, p<.05), HRmax (185.6±6.6 vs. 180.7±8.5 beats/min, p<.05) and time to exhaustion (671.7±56.9 vs. 651.6±55.7 sec, p<.05) responses than aero position. In submaximal test at 45% VO2(subscript max), it's noted that significantly greater oxygen uptake (VO2) (19.9±3.4 vs. 20.9±3.6 ml/kg/min, p<.05) and heart rate (HR) (124.4±12.9 vs. 128.3±12.0 beats/min, p<.05) were found in aero position. In submaximal test at 55% VO2(subscript max) and 65% VO2(subscript max), there were no significant differences between two positions. Conclusions: Different body positions affect physiological responses when testing at maximal and 45% VO2(subscript max) submaximal exercise intensities in cycle ergometer. For maximal exercise testing, upright position should be employed in order to achieve individual maximal physiological response on cycle ergometer.