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Updated: Aug 1, 2026

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans
Published on: October 17, 2018
Catecholamine responses to high intensity cycle ergometer exercise: body mass or body composition?
J S Baker1, D M Bailey, J Dutton
1Health and Exercise Science Research Laboratory, School of Applied Science, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, Wales, CF37 lDL, UK. jsbaker@glam.ac.uk
Using fat-free mass (FFM) for cycle ergometry resistance yields higher peak power output compared to total-body mass (TBM). This method shows no significant differences in sympathoadrenergic or metabolic stress markers post-exercise.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Human Performance
Background:
- Maximal exercise testing requires precise resistance calibration.
- Previous protocols often use total-body mass (TBM) for resistance, potentially limiting performance metrics.
- Fat-free mass (FFM) offers a more individualized approach to resistance determination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare sympathoadrenergic and metabolic responses during maximal high-intensity cycle ergometry.
- To evaluate the impact of resistance derived from FFM versus TBM on exercise performance and physiological stress.
Main Methods:
- Maximal high-intensity cycle ergometry (30 seconds) was performed.
- Resistive forces were calculated based on either TBM or FFM.
- Measurements included peak power output (PPO), pedal velocity, mean power output (MPO), fatigue index (FI%), work done (WD), heart rate (HR), and plasma concentrations of adrenaline (A), noradrenaline (NA), and blood lactate ([La-]B).
Main Results:
- Peak power output (PPO) and pedal velocity were significantly higher when resistance was based on FFM compared to TBM.
- No significant differences were found in MPO, FI%, WD, or HR between the FFM and TBM protocols.
- Plasma concentrations of A, NA, and [La-]B increased immediately post-exercise for both protocols, with no significant differences between them. These levels returned to baseline at 24 hours post-exercise.
Conclusions:
- Exercise protocols using FFM for resistance can achieve greater peak power outputs.
- Using FFM-derived resistance does not increase sympathoadrenergic or metabolic stress compared to TBM.
- FFM-based resistance calibration is a viable method for maximal exercise testing, potentially offering a more accurate assessment of peak performance.
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