Abstract
The gender differences in peak oxygen uptake (V˙O2peak) for various modes of exercise have been examined previously; however, no direct gender comparisons have been made during repetitive lifting (RL). In the present study the V˙O2peak between RL and treadmill running (TR) was compared between 20 men [mean (SD) age, height, body mass and body fat: 21 (3) years, 1.79 (0.06) m, 81 (9) kg, 19 (6)%, respectively] and 20 women [mean (SD) age, height, body mass and body fat: 21 (3) years, 1.63 (0.05) m, 60 (7) kg, 27 (6)%, respectively]. V˙O2peak (l · min−1), defined as the highest value obtained during exercise to volitional fatigue, was determined using discontinuous protocols with treadmill grade or box mass incremented to increase exercise intensity. For RL V˙O2peak, a pneumatically driven shelf was used to lower a loaded box to the floor, and subjects then lifted the box, at a rate of 15 lifts · min−1. V˙O2peak (l · min−1 and ml · kg−1 · min−1) and minute ventilation (V˙ E, l · min−1) were determined using an on-line gas analysis system. A two-way repeated measures analysis of variance revealed significant gender effects, with men having higher values for V˙O2peak (l · min−1 and ml · kg−1 · min−1) and V˙ E, but women having higher values of the ventilatory equivalent for oxygen (V˙ E/V˙O2). There were also mode of exercise effects, with TR values being higher for V˙O2peak (l · min−1 and ml · kg−1 · min−1) and V˙ E and an interaction effect for V˙O2peak {1 · min−1 and ml · kg−1 · min−1) and V˙ E/V˙O2. The women obtained a greater percentage (≈84%) of their TR V˙O2peak during RL than did the men (≈79%). There was a marginal tendency for women to decrease and men to increase their V˙ E/V˙O2 when comparing TR with RL. The magnitude of the gender differences between the two exercise modalities appeared to be similar for heart rate, V˙ E and R, but differed for V˙O2peak (1 · min−1 and ml · kg−1 · min−1). Lifting to an absolute height (1.32 m for the RL protocol) may present a different physical challenge to men and women with respect to the degree of involvement of the muscle groups used during lifting and ventilation.
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Accepted: 21 May 1997
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Nindl, B., Sharp, M., Mello, R. et al. Gender comparison of peak oxygen uptake: repetitive box lifting versus treadmill running. Eur J Appl Physiol 77, 112–117 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004210050308
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004210050308