Validation of VO_2Peakand performance using a SciFit^TM Arm Ergometer

James A. Yaggie, W. Jeffrey Armstrong, Ian K. Ratz, Stephen J. McGregor

Applied Physiology Laboratory, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, USA.
Department of Health & Physical Education, Western Oregon University, Monmouth, USA.
Department of Health and Human Performance, The University of Findlay, Findlay, USA.

DOI: 10.4236/ojtr.2014.21007                

Abstract

For individuals with lower extremity injury or disability, upper body exercise provides a mechanism of functional mobility training, car-diovascular fitness, as well as a means for clinical fitness assessment. However, the validity of fitness assessment relies on the efficacy of di-agnostic tools and measures in order to provide meaningful data to clinicians. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if the SciFit^TMPro II Arm Ergometer, a widely available upper body ergometer (UBE), is a reliable device for the determination of VO_2Peak in fit able-bodied swimmers. Eight trained male swimmers (28 ± 9 yrs) performed two incremental protocols VO_2Peak consisting of a 4-min warm-up at 15 W followed by 2 min at 50 W and progressing 10 W every 2 min until volitional exhaustion. There was a linear relationship between workload and VO₂ in all trials (R = 0.96; p ≤ 0.01) while Cronbach’s alpha for test-retest reliability for VO₂ was 0.98. In conclusion, the UBE is an accurate and reliable device for determination of VO_2Peak in trained swimmers, and further may be a viable alternative trainingVO_2Peak injured athlete.

Keywords

Reliability; Validity; Upper Body Ergometry; Swimmers

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Troup, J.P. and Trappe, T.A. (1994) Applications of research in swimming. In: Miyashita, M., Mutoh, Y. and Richardson, A.B., Eds., Medicine and Science in Aquatic Sport, Karger, Basel, 155-675.
[2]	Price, M.J. and Campbell, I.G. (1997) Determination of peak oxygen consumption during upper body exercise. Ergonomics, 40, 491-499. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/001401397188116
[3]	Miller, T.L., Mattacola, C.G. and Santiago, M.C. (2004) Influence of varied, controlled distances from the arm crank axis on peak physiological responses during arm crank ergometry. Journal of Exercise Physiology Online, 7, 61-67.
[4]	Hooker, S.P. and Wells, C.L. (1991) Physiologic responses to arm crank exercise with and without hand grasping. Clinical Kinesiology, 45, 3-8.
[5]	Ferris, B.F. (1987) Reflections on the physical activity of patterns of disabled Canadians. Journal of Leisurability, 14, 18-23.
[6]	Bauman, W.A., Spungen, A.M., Raza, M., et al. (1992) Coronary artery disease: Metabolic risk factors and latent disease in individuals with paraplegia. Mt Sinai Journal of Medicine, 59, 163-168.
[7]	Yekutiel, M., Brooks, M.E., Ohry, A., Yarom, J. and Carel, R. (1989) The prevalence of hypertension, ischaemic heart disease and diabetes in traumatic spinal cord injured patients and amputees. Paraplegia, 27, 58-62. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sc.1989.9
[8]	Dearwater, S.R., Laporte, R.E., Robertson, R.J., Brenes, G., Adams, L.L. and Becker, D. (1986) Activity in the spinal-cord injured patient: An epidemiologic analysis of metabolic parameters. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 18, 541-544. http://dx.doi.org/10.1249/00005768-198610000-00008
[9]	Jansen, T.W., Van Oers, C.A., Rozendaal, E.P., Willemsen, E.M., Hollander, A.P. and Van der Woude, L.H. (1996) Changes in physical strain and physical capacity in men with spinal cord injuries. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 28, 551-559.
[10]	Laursen, P.B., Shing, C.M. and Jenkins, D.G. (2003) Reproducibility of a laboratory-based 40-km cycle time-trial on a stationary wind-trainer in highly trained cyclists. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 24, 481-485. http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-2003-42012
[11]	Lavcanska, V., Taylor N.F. and Schache, A.G. (2005) Familiarization to treadmill running in young unimpaired adults. Human Movement Science, 24, 544-557.