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Heart rate and VO2 responses to treadmill running with body weight support using the GlideTrak™
Jordan Perry1, Wayne Johnson1, Gilbert W Fellingham2
1Department of Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA.
Background/Objective:
The heart rate (HR) and metabolic (VO2) responses to treadmill running using the GlideTrak™ body weight support system have not been reported. The purpose of this study was to compare the submaximal and maximal HR and VO2 responses to normal-weight treadmill running (TMR) to treadmill running with body weight support provided by the GlideTrak™ (GTR).
Methods:
Twenty participants (11 males; 9 females) 18 to 26 years of age voluntarily participated in this study. Each participant completed two exercise tests in each mode of running: a maximal graded exercise test to compare maximal HR and VO2 values and a submaximal exercise test to compare the HR-VO2 relationship.
Results:
Maximal HR and VO2 values were significantly (p < 0.001) lower during GTR (183.4 ± 9.1 bpm, 38.1 ± 7.2 mL kg-1 min-1) compared to TMR (194.3 ± 8.6 bpm, 49.5 ± 8.9 kg-1 min-1). There was a significant difference in the HR-VO2 relationship between GTR and TMR. Compared to TMR, exercising at a HR of 140 bpm resulted in a VO2 that was 4.0 mL kg-1 min-1 lower during GTR. At the VO2 associated with a HR of 140 bpm during TMR, the HR during GTR was 16 bpm higher. During GTR at intensities of exercise up to an RER of 1.0, only 8 participants achieved vigorous intensities of aerobic exercise defined as 64-90% of VO2max.
Conclusion:
Exercising with the GlideTrak™ body weight support system may not provide the same cardiorespiratory training stimulus as normal-weight treadmill running.
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