Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Semester of Degree Completion
1985
Thesis Director
M. Thomas Woodall
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine whether any significant difference in performance exists between a maximal exercise test on a Monark 868 bicycle ergometer and a Racermate II wind load simulator. Performance was measured according to three parameters: maximum oxygen consumption, maximum heart rate and test duration.
Nine trained subjects, five men and four women participated in the study. All subjects bad recently been involved in bicycling for training purposes.
Testing consisted of two trials for each subject, one trial on the bicycle ergometer using a standard protocol and one trial on the wind load simulator using a protocol similar to the bicycle ergometer protocol but with rpm values between 80-90.
The mean maximum oxygen consumption value for the males was 57.17 ml/kg/min on the bicycle ergometer and 56.48 on the wind load simulator. For the females, mean maximum oxygen consumption was 55.93 ml/kg/min on the bicycle ergometer and 55.78 on the wind load simulator. Mean maximum heart rate for the males was 193 bpm on the bicycle ergometer and 192 on the wind load simulator. For the females, mean maximum heart rate was 185 bpm on the bicycle ergometer and 186 on the wind load simulator. Mean test duration for the males was 16.95 minutes on the bicycle ergometer and 14.80 on the wind load simulator. For the females, mean test duration was 12.00 minutes on the bicycle ergomter and 9.56 on the wind load simulator.
The data was analyzed using a Student t-test at the .05 level of significance. The means for the maximum values for each parameter were compared males to males and females to females.
No significant differnce was found in performance for the males. For the females test duration was significantly longer during the bicycle ergometer test, while the other two parameters showed no difference.
It was concluded that, for laboratory testing, positional differences occuring between riding on the bicycle ergometer and the wind load simulator had little effect on short duration maximal performance. The difference found in test duration for the females indicated that rpm may have a major influence on workload tolerance and the ability to sustain maximal performance during laboratory testing.
Recommended Citation
Ritz Haas, Carmen J., "Differences in Maximal Performance Between an Exercise Test on a Monark Bicycle Ergometer and a Racermate Wind Load Simulator" (1985). Masters Theses. 2784.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/2784
