Physiological and perceptual responses to sprint interval exercise using arm versus leg cycling ergometry

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Science
• Cardiovascular Health

Background:

• Sprint interval exercise (SIE) enhances power output and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max).
• Traditional "all-out" SIE intensity can be a barrier for many adults.
• Lower-body SIE is not feasible for all individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the physiological and perceptual responses to supramaximal, "non-all-out" SIE between leg cycling ergometry (LCE) and arm cycle ergometry (ACE).
• To determine the feasibility of ACE as an alternative SIE modality.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-four active adults underwent incremental exercise tests to determine VO2 max and maximal work capacity (Wmax) using both LCE and ACE.
• Participants performed four 20-second SIE bouts at 130% Wmax on either LCE or ACE.
• Physiological (gas exchange, heart rate, blood lactate) and perceptual (RPE, affective valence) data were collected.

Main Results:

• ACE elicited significantly lower absolute mean (1.24 L·min⁻¹) and peak VO2 (1.79 L·min⁻¹) compared to LCE (1.59 L·min⁻¹ and 2.10 L·min⁻¹, respectively).
• ACE resulted in significantly higher relative mean (62% VO2 max) and peak VO2 (88% VO2 max) compared to LCE (57% and 75% VO2 max, respectively).
• Post-exercise blood lactate was higher with LCE (7.0 mM) than ACE (5.7 mM), with no significant differences in RPE or affective valence between modalities.

Conclusions:

• Non-"all-out" ACE elicits lower absolute but higher relative oxygen consumption compared to LCE.
• The comparable and favorable perceptual responses suggest ACE is a viable and potentially less aversive alternative for SIE.
• This modality could enhance accessibility to SIE for previously inactive or deconditioned adults.