Cardiovascular response to isokinetic endurance exercise testing

The purpose of this study was to compare specific cardiovascular responses; maximal heart rate (MHR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and the calculated pressure rate product (PRP) [SPB X HR X 10(-2)] achieved during a Cybex+ isokinetic endurance test to those generated during a maximal graded exercise test (GXT). Nine untrained college females underwent a Bruce GXT and a maximal effort Cybex knee endurance test. Independent t-tests were used to analyze the differences between the means for MHR, SPB, DBP, and PRP elicited during both tests. There was no significant difference (p less than 0.01) between SBP and DBP means elicited during either test. MHR was significantly higher on the GXT with Cybex values ranging from 71 to 88% of GXT values. PRP was significantly lower during Cybex exercise but ranged from 58 to 102% of maximal GXT values. The results of this study demonstrate the high demands that a Cybex endurance test places on the cardiovascular system of this healthy population and also emphasize the need to carefully evaluate and monitor these parameters for clients of all ages and diagnoses.