Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 45, Issue 1 75-79, Copyright © 1978 by American Physiological Society
Metabolic and cardiovascular adjustment to arm training
J. R. Magel, W. D. McArdle, M. Toner and D. J. Delio
Maximal and submaximal metabolic and cardiovascular measures and work
capacity were studied in control (n = 7) and experimental (n = 9) subjects
(S's) during arm work prior to and following 10 wk of interval arm
training. These measures were oxygen uptake (VO2), minute ventilation (VE),
heart rate (HR), respiratory exchange ratio (R), cardiac output (Q), stroke
volume (SV), and arteriovenous oxygen difference ((a--v)O2 diff). In
addition, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was measured in both groups during
treadmill running. Experimental S's showed significant increases (P less
than 0.01) in peak VO2 (438 ml.min-1), max VE (17.7 l.min-1), max (a--v)O2
diff (20.8 ml.l-1), and work time (9.2 min) during arm ergometry, while
maximum values of Q, SV, HR, and R remained unchanged. In addition,
submaximal heart rates were significantly lower during arm ergometry after
training. VO2max during treadmill running remained essentially unchanged.
No changes in metabolic and physiological measures were noted for the
controls after the 10-wk training period. The results support the concept
of training specificity for VO2max, and indicate that the improvement in
peak VO2 in arm ergometry reflects enhanced oxygen utilization due to an
expanded (a--v)O2 diff.
