Cardiovascular and Metabolic Response to Resistance and Matched Aerobic Exercise

Abstract

Little is known about metabolic and cardiovascular responses to resistance exercise (RE) compared to aerobic exercise (AE). PURPOSE: To measure cardiovascular (HR) and metabolic (VO2) responses to a single bout of RE which was then matched with bouts of AE for either HR or VO2 and time. METHOD: 16 males and 8 females participated. Air plethysmography measured body composition. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was measured during a standard treadmill test using open circuit spirometry. A 1-repetition maximum (1RM) test measured muscular strength for each RE. HR and VO2 were measured during a bout of a RE routine; 3 sets of 10 repetitions at 65% 1RM with 90 sec. of rest between each set. RE routine included: leg press, seated bench press, leg extension, bicep curls, shoulder press, lat pull-down, and tricep push-down. Randomized bouts of AE were completed; one to match VO2 of RE and one to match HR of RE. RESULTS: Age = 21.2 +/- 2.2 yr; BMI = 25.8 +/- 4.8 kg/m2; % fat = 22 +/- 9%; VO2max = 50.8 +/- 9.4 ml/kg/min; HR max = 193 +/- 7 bpm. Bouts of RE and AE were 40 minutes in duration. RE Work Time = 602 +/- 91 s; RE Rest Time = 1825 +/- 35 s. HR and VO2 did not significantly decrease during RE rest intervals compared to RE work intervals. VO2 during RE was significantly less than HR-matched AE. HR during VO2-matched AE was significantly lower than RE. RPE was significantly higher during and following RE as compared to either bout of matched AE.Table*denotes a significant difference between conditions; (p<0.05) CONCLUSION: Both HR and VO2 remained elevated during periods of rest between RE work; a bout of RE resulted in a significant caloric expenditure. However, RPE is greater during RE as compared to AE matched for either cardiovascular or metabolic loads.