A physiological appraisal of aerobic riding in women

The aim of this study was to compare selected acute cardiorespiratory and metabolic effects of exercise on a Fitness Flyer (FF) aerobic rider to those of treadmill (TM) running. Fourteen women, aged 23-35 years, performed incremental exercise tests to exhaustion on the TM and FF. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), heart rate (HR), minute ventilation (VE), VO2, and ventilatory equivalent (VEq) were compared in each subject during each phase of the exercise protocols, and blood lactate concentrations were measured before and 2-3 minutes after the exercise tests on the 2 modalities. Peak VO2 was higher (p < 0.05) on the TM than on the FF. Mean submaximal HR and VEq at a given VO2 was, however, higher on the FF than on the TM (p < 0.05). Maximum mean energy expenditure on the FF corresponded with mean energy expenditure on the TM at 8 km.h(-1) at an 18% gradient. Posttest blood lactate concentrations and RPE were higher on the FF than on the TM (p < 0.05). The results indicate that although exercising on an FF elicits less maximal cardiorespiratory response than does TM running, the FF may be better suited to developing local muscle endurance in the thigh muscles.