Effect of Semirecumbent and Upright Body Position on Maximal and Submaximal Exercise Testing

Abstract

The study was designed to determine the effect of upright-posture (UP) versus semirecumbent (SR) cycling on commonly used measures of maximal and submaximal exercise capacity. Nine healthy, untrained men (M age = 27 years, SD = 4.8 years) underwent steady-state submaximal aerobic testing followed by a ramped test to determine maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). Anaerobic peak and average power and total work were assessed with the Wingate test. All tests were performed in both SR and UP positions, in random order. Oxygen consumption (VO2) and ventilation (VE) at the maximum workrate were lower in the SR position (p < .05). At submaximal workrates (50 W and 100 W), VO2 and VE were equivalent in the UP and SR positions, despite differences in tidal volume and respiratory rate (p < .05). There was no difference in peak or average anaerobic power in the two positions. In summary, SR exercise was associated with a reduced VO2max and a significantly altered ventilatory response to aerobic exercise, with no change in anaerobic power output.