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Comparing the systolic blood pressure per metabolic equivalent response during treadmill and cycle ergometer exercise
Natalie I Miners1, Johan Thiessen1, Gabriel S Romano1
1Human Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Human Health Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
Abstract:
Elevated exercise systolic blood pressure (SBP) predicts future hypertension, but its association with cardiorespiratory fitness (V̇O2peak) can confound risk assessment. Indexing SBP per metabolic equivalent (MET) reduces this influence but whether treadmill-derived thresholds (6.2-9.0 and >9.0 mmHg/MET) translate to cycle ergometry remains unclear. Healthy adults (22 ± 4 years, 49% female) completed maximal treadmill (n = 143) or cycle (n = 73) tests, with 21 completing both. Despite lower V̇O2peak during cycling, peak SBP was similar, producing a higher SBP/MET slope in between-group (p = 0.03) and paired analyses (p = 0.002). Cycling showed high sensitivity/specificity for detecting >9.0 mmHg/MET but more false positives between 6.2-9.0 mmHg/MET, supporting modality-specific thresholds.
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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.
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