Oxygen uptake and blood flow of the lower limb in maximal treadmill and bicycle exercise

The present study was undertaken to compare the effects of maximal treadmill and bicycle exercise on maximum oxygen uptake and blood flow in the lower extremity. Mean maximum oxygen uptake in maximal treadmill exercise was higher than that in bicycle exercise (p less than 0.001). Mean values and standard errors of blood flow measured immediately after maximal treadmill and bicycle exercise in the thigh were 39.1 +/- 4.0 and 44.2 +/- 2.8 ml/100 ml . min, the difference not being significant. However, a significant difference in blood flow in the calf measured immediately after both types of exercise was observed (p less than 0.001). Blood flow in the thigh immediately after bicycle exercise was significantly higher than that in the calf (p less than 0.001), whereas the difference between thigh and calf in treadmill exercise was small and statistically not significant. Leg blood flow, the average value of blood flow of the thigh and calf added together, was used as an index of blood flow in the lower extremity. It was found that the leg blood flow was significantly higher on the treadmill than with bicycle exercise (p less than 0.05). From these results, it is suggested that the lower maximum oxygen uptake observed during bicycle exercise as compared with treadmill exercise seems to be due to a lower blood flow in the lower limb.