Heart rate and oxygen uptake relationship: a comparison of loaded marching and running in women

Heart rate (beats.min-1; fc) measured during marching with a load is often used to predict the oxygen cost (l.min-1; VO2) of the activity. The prediction comes from the fc/VO2 relationship determined from laboratory measures of fc and VO2 during treadmill running. Studies in men have suggested that this may not be appropriate although this has yet to be examined in women. This study, therefore, compared the fc/VO2 relationship between loaded marching and maximal running protocols in women. Sixteen female subjects [mean (SD), age 21.9 (2.3) years, height 6 (0.06) m, weight 62.6 (7.6) kg] had their fc (from three-lead chest electrodes) and VO2 measured first during standard treadmill run protocols, and again 1 week later during loaded marching protocols. The slopes and intercepts determined from linear regression of fc on VO2 for each individual for each protocol were compared as were the maximal fc(fcmax), VO2 and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) from the last work period of each protocol in paired t-tests. The fc/VO2 slopes (P < 0.01) and intercepts (P < 0.05) differed significantly between loaded marching and running. fcmax for loaded marching were 90% of fcmax for running (P < 0.01) and VO2peak for loaded marching were 80% of those for running (P < 0.01). However, RPE at the final levels for the two protocols were not significantly different. The data suggest that in women the fc/VO2 relationships for loaded marching and for running are different. This difference is similar to that found in men when speed is held constant and the load and gradient are varied. The results suggest that it would be erroneous to use fc and VO2 measured during running protocols in the laboratory to estimate energy expenditure and work intensity during loaded marching in the field.