Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans
Published on: October 17, 2018
Physiologic and metabolic responses to a continuous functional resistance exercise workout.
Kristen M Lagally1, Jeanine Cordero, Jon Good
1School of Kinesiology and Recreation, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, USA. kmlagal@ilstu.edu
Continuous functional exercise workouts provide significant caloric expenditure, meeting American College of Sports Medicine recommendations. While men lifted heavier and expended more calories, relative measures of caloric expenditure and oxygen uptake were similar between sexes.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Human Kinetics
Background:
- Functional exercise programs are increasingly popular for improving overall fitness.
- Understanding the physiological demands of continuous functional exercise is crucial for program design and effectiveness.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated the metabolic and perceptual responses to continuous functional resistance exercise protocols.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the physiological and perceptual responses to a continuous functional exercise workout.
- To compare these responses between men and women.
- To determine if the workout meets established American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines for energy expenditure.
Main Methods:
- Ten men and ten women underwent maximal oxygen uptake, strength, and body composition tests.
- Subjects completed familiarization sessions with a videotaped continuous functional resistance exercise routine.
- Physiological measures (VO2, VCO2, RER, heart rate, blood lactate) and perceptual measures (RPE) were recorded during the final exercise session.
Main Results:
- The workout elicited a mean oxygen uptake of 27.8 ml.kg.min (51% of VO2 peak), heart rate of 156 bpm (83% of max HR), and RER of 0.91.
- Mean ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) was 5.9, with a mean blood lactate increase of 2.5 mmol.L.
- Total caloric expenditure averaged 289 kcal; men expended more total calories and lifted heavier weights than women, but relative values were similar.
Conclusions:
- Continuous functional exercise results in substantial energy expenditure, aligning with ACSM recommendations.
- While absolute differences exist between sexes, relative physiological responses and energy expenditure are comparable.
- This exercise modality is effective for promoting significant metabolic and cardiovascular adaptations.
More Related Videos
06:28A Chronic High-Intensity Interval Training and Diet-Induced Obesity Model to Maximize Exercise Effort and Induce Physiologic Changes in Rats
Published on: April 28, 2023
09:50Application of Chronic Stimulation to Study Contractile Activity-induced Rat Skeletal Muscle Phenotypic Adaptations
Published on: January 25, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Muscle Recovery and Fatigue
Cellular Adaptation II: Hypertrophy
Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be met...
Exercise Stress Test
Exercise stress testing, commonly known as a treadmill test, is a noninvasive procedure used to evaluate cardiovascular function and diagnose heart conditions.
Definition
An exercise stress test measures the heart's response to exertion using a treadmill or stationary bicycle. Chest electrodes record the heart's electrical activity through an ECG, and blood pressure is monitored regularly.
Purposes