Modulation of breathing parameters between treadmill and cycle ergometer tests in endurance trained and recreationally active individuals

Abstract

This study aimed at comparing breathing patterns during incremental-load tests to exhaustion performed on both cycle (CE) and treadmill (TE) ergometers. The hypothesis for this study is two fold; (i) during an incremental to exhaustion test treadmill running will evoke a higher breathing frequency and cycling will evoke a larger tidal volume at isometabolic conditions due to the different muscle contractions. Secondly, (ii) during an incremental to exhaustion test a higher breathing frequency during treadmill running and a higher tidal volume during cycle ergometery ought to be observed at isometabolic conditions in well-trained endurance athletes as compared to recreationally active individuals, due to changes in the periphery from years of chronic training. Ten specifically trained endurance individuals (S) (Five cross-country runners and five cyclists), and eight non-specifically trained individuals (NS) underwent a maximal oxygen uptake determination test (VO₂max) on both a CE and TE. Cardiorespiratory variables (VO₂max, VCO₂, RER, VE, VT, and ƒR) and movement frequency (MF), were collected and calculated relative to fixed percentages of VO₂max, ranging from 50 to 100%. ANOVA revealed significantly higher values at each percentage of VO₂max on the TE compared to the CE in the NS group (p < 0.05) whereas the S group did not significantly differ. There was no significant difference in VCO₂and RER, between the S and NS groups on both the CE and the TE. The minute ventilation (VE) was similar between the S and NS groups on both ergometers except for 50 to 60% of VO₂max. Concurrently, VT was significantly higher, while ƒR was significantly lower on the CE compared to the TE in both groups (p < 0.05). A significant MF group effect was observed, with S reaching higher values on both ergometers, upon examining percent entrainment (%ENT) there was no difference observed between groups or modes. The outcomes demonstrated that at isometabolic intensities no difference in breathing patterns between specifically trained endurance individuals and non-specifically trained individuals was reached on both ergometers despite an MF group effect. Although (S) reached higher cardiorespiratory values on both ergometers compared to non-specifically trained individuals, their ventilatory patterns did not differ.