Ventilatory efficiency during constant-load test at lactate threshold intensity: Endurance versus resistance...

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Science
• Cardiorespiratory Fitness

Background:

• Ventilatory efficiency is crucial in endurance exercise but understudied in resistance exercise.
• Understanding ventilatory responses in different exercise modes is key for training optimization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and ventilatory efficiency between half-squat and cycle ergometer exercises.
• To assess responses during constant-load testing at lactate threshold intensity.

Main Methods:

• Eighteen healthy males underwent randomized crossover trials of half-squat and cycle ergometer exercises.
• Tests included incremental and constant-load protocols to determine lactate threshold and assess responses.
• Cardiorespiratory and metabolic data were monitored during constant-load tests.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in ventilatory efficiency were observed between half-squat and cycle ergometer exercises.
• Oxygen uptake, heart rate, and blood lactate showed significant exercise mode x time interactions.
• High correlations were found between ventilation, carbon dioxide, and oxygen uptake efficiency in both exercise modes.

Conclusions:

• Ventilatory efficiency is comparable between half-squat and cycle ergometer exercises at lactate threshold intensity.
• Despite greater cardiorespiratory demands in cycling, efficiency remains similar, suggesting similar aerobic metabolism utilization.