[A simple ergometric technic: the modified step test].

For older people exercise intensity is often determined based on heart rate (HR) or the percentage of maximal HR (%HRmax). This study evaluated oxygen uptake (O2) and HR during ergometry rowing (combined arm and leg; sitting exercise) and treadmill running (leg; upright exercise) for 15 older people [age, (mean +/- SD) 62 +/- 3 years]. The HR was lower during ergometry rowing than during treadmill running at a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol l-1 (151 +/- 4 beat min-1 versus 160 +/- 5 beat min-1, P<0.05) and at a maximal effort (171 +/- 7 beat min-1 versus 177 +/- 7 beat min-1, P<0.05). This was the case although the O2 was higher during ergometry rowing than during treamill running both at a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol l-1 (3.0 +/- 0.4 l min-1 versus 2.7 +/- 0.4 l min-1, P<0.05) and at a maximal effort (3.4 +/- 0.4 l min-1 versus 3.1 +/- 0.3 l min-1, P<0.05]. %HRmax and %HR reserve were lower during ergometry rowing than during treadmill running. The results suggest that, in prescription of rowing for older people, the relation between HR and O2 for rowing and the attenuated HR response to rowing should be taken into consideration.

Ergometry↗

PubMed2002

General review of maximal aerobic velocity measurement at laboratory. Proposition of a new simplified protocol for maximal aerobic velocity assessment.

The maximal aerobic velocity concept developed since eighties is considered as either the minimal velocity which elicits the maximal aerobic consumption or as the "velocity associated to maximal oxygen consumption". Different methods for measuring maximal aerobic velocity on treadmill in laboratory conditions have been elaborated, but all these specific protocols measure V(amax) either during a maximal oxygen consumption test or with an association of such a test. An inaccurate method presents a certain number of problems in the subsequent use of the results, for example in the elaboration of training programs, in the study of repeatability or in the determination of individual limit time. This study analyzes 14 different methods to understand their interests and limits in view to propose a general methodology for measuring V(amax). In brief, the test should be progressive and maximal without any rest period and of 17 to 20 min total duration. It should begin with a five min warm-up at 60-70% of the maximal aerobic power of the subjects. The beginning of the trial should be fixed so that four or five steps have to be run. The duration of the steps should be three min with a 1% slope and an increasing speed of 1.5 km x h(-1) until complete exhaustion. The last steps could be reduced at two min for a 1 km x h(-1) increment. The maximal aerobic velocity is adjusted in relation to duration of the last step.

Ergometry↗