Responses to submaximal and maximal arm cycling above, at, and below heart level

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Abstract
Arm position may influence the cardiovascular and metabolic adjustments to arm cycling. To compare the responses to submaximal and maximal arm cycling with the arms positioned above, at, and below heart level, 5 untrained [human] subjects performed arm cycling at each of the 3 positions at 0, 29.6, 59.0 and 88.0 W. The work rate of 59.0 W was the highest work rate that could be maintained for 10 min by all 5 subjects. All subjects also performed maximal cycling exercise at all 3 arm positions to determine arm .ovrhdot.VO2 peak [peak O2 uptake]. A restraining harness and synchronous arm cycling were used to isolate the work to the arms as much as possible. Arm .ovrhdot.VO2 peak averaged only 57% of leg .ovrhdot.VO2 peak, due probably to the harness used to reduce the use of accessory muscles during arm exercise and the use of synchronous arm cycling which reduces trunk rotation. There was no significant difference in the responses to either submaximal or maximal arm cycling with the arms positioned above, at, or below heart level. Possible changes in arm-muscle blood flow exert only negligible effects when rhythmic dynamic arm exercise is performed in an overhead position.

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