Task Specific Changes in Maximal Oxygen Uptake Resulting from Arm versus Leg Training

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Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to investigate metabolic responses to submaximal and maximal exercise performed with trained versus untrained muscles. The subjects were 17 male college students randomly assigned to one of two experimental groups. Group II (N = 8) performed high intensity arm cranking exercise on a modified bicycle ergometer and Group II (N = 9) performed high intensity bench stepping with arms at sides to a height of 50·8 cm. Both groups trained three days per week for ten weeks. Each subject was tested twice at the beginning and twice at the conclusion of the ten week period. Discontinuous tests (5 min bouts) for determination of submaximal and maximal oxygen uptake ([Vdot]o2 max ) were randomly assigned and performed on bicycle and arm crank ergometers. respectively. [Vdot]o2 max (ml kg−1 min−1) significantly increased (19%) and submaximal heart rate (EKG) significantly decreased during arm testing of arm trained subjects. Similar results ( [Vdot]o2 max ml kg−1 min−1, increased 15%) were found for leg trained subjects during leg testing. There was no cross transference of training effects with respect to submaximal or maximal performance. These data strongly suggest that effects derived from training are largely task specific and, at least initially, are based in the periphery (musculature).

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