Limb volume, composition, and maximum aerobic power output in relation to habitual 'preference' in young male...

Anthropometric data are presented for the preferred and non-preferred limbs of normal subjects together with measurements of one-limb maximum aerobic power output (V O2 max). The habitually preferred arms and legs were significantly larger in total volume (LV) when compared with the contralateral limbs (5 per cent, P less than 0-01; and 2 per cent, P less than 0-01 respectively). These differences were mainly attributable to variation in the size of the muscle component. Expressed in absolute terms, V O2 max achieved in exercise with the preferred legs was significantly larger than the non-preferred legs (2-84 cf. 2-74 l/min; P less than 0-01) and a similar but non-significant difference was found between the arms (1-10 cf. 1-05 l/min). If, however, V O2 max is standardized for the size of the active muscle mass (LV, muscle plus bone) these differences between the preferred and non-preferred limbs disappear. The implications of these observations are discussed.