CARDIORESPIRATORY RESPONSE TO MAXIMAL ARM AND LEG EXERCISE IN NATIONAL CLASS MARATHON RUNNERS.

Abstract

684 Marathon runners (MR) are among the most aerobically fit athletes in the world. Although aerobic capacity (V̇O2 max) during arm exercise in healthy men generally varies between 64 and 80% of leg V̇O2 max ( = 70%), few data are available regarding the arm fitness of MR. Methods: To clarify the relationship between arm and leg fitness in MR, we studied 10 national class MR (±SD age=30±4 yrs; 70±8 training miles per week) whose best marathon times averaged <2 hrs, 35 min. Each MR underwent lower and upper body maximal exercise testing with direct measurement of cardiorespiratory (CR) variables using a treadmill (standard Bruce protocol) and arm crank ergometer, respectively. Results: Selected maximal data (±SD) during arm and leg testing were: (Table)TableMaximal CR responses were significantly greater during leg than arm exercise. Relative arm fitness (arm V̇O2 max/leg V̇O2 max) was extremely variable (range 41% to 76%) and averaged 59±13%. Conclusion: Although MR are able to achieve significantly higher V̇O2 max values than those observed in the general population, their relative arm fitness appears to be slightly reduced. These findings add to and strongly support the specificity of measurement and training concept.