Modulation of breathing parameters between treadmill and cycle ergometer tests in endurance trained and recreationally active individuals

Power, Geoffrey Alonzo (2008) Modulation of breathing parameters between treadmill and cycle ergometer tests in endurance trained and recreationally active individuals. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

This study aimed at comparing breathing patterns during incremental-load tests to exhaustion performed on both cycle (CE) and treadmill (TE) ergometers. The hypothesis for this study is two fold; (i) during an incremental to exhaustion test treadmill running will evoke a higher breathing frequency and cycling will evoke a larger tidal volume at isometabolic conditions due to the different muscle contractions. Secondly, (ii) during an incremental to exhaustion test a higher breathing frequency during treadmill running and a higher tidal volume during cycle ergometery ought to be observed at isometabolic conditions in well-trained endurance athletes as compared to recreationally active individuals, due to changes in the periphery from years of chronic training. Ten specifically trained endurance individuals (S) (Five cross-country runners and five cyclists), and eight non-specifically trained individuals (NS) underwent a maximal oxygen uptake determination test (VO₂max) on both a CE and TE. Cardiorespiratory variables (VO₂max, VCO₂, RER, VE, VT, and ƒR) and movement frequency (MF), were collected and calculated relative to fixed percentages of VO₂max, ranging from 50 to 100%. ANOVA revealed significantly higher values at each percentage of VO₂max on the TE compared to the CE in the NS group (p < 0.05) whereas the S group did not significantly differ. There was no significant difference in VCO₂and RER, between the S and NS groups on both the CE and the TE. The minute ventilation (VE) was similar between the S and NS groups on both ergometers except for 50 to 60% of VO₂max. Concurrently, VT was significantly higher, while ƒR was significantly lower on the CE compared to the TE in both groups (p < 0.05). A significant MF group effect was observed, with S reaching higher values on both ergometers, upon examining percent entrainment (%ENT) there was no difference observed between groups or modes. The outcomes demonstrated that at isometabolic intensities no difference in breathing patterns between specifically trained endurance individuals and non-specifically trained individuals was reached on both ergometers despite an MF group effect. Although (S) reached higher cardiorespiratory values on both ergometers compared to non-specifically trained individuals, their ventilatory patterns did not differ.

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