Aerobic capacity during two-arm and one-leg ergometric exercise

Previous studies have shown that maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) measured during two-arm cranking and one-leg cycling is about 70–78 per cent of VO2 max measured during two-leg cycling. The present study investigated the maximal physiological responses of eight healthy untrained males during two-arm, one-leg, and two-leg ergometric exercise. Two-arm cranking and one-leg cycling were found to be 55 and 66 per cent of two-leg VO2 max, respectively. The % VO2 max at which the anaerobic threshold occurred during the two-arm and one-leg exercise conditions were 57 and 68 per cent, respectively. These findings suggest that when the active muscle mass is limited, a progressive exercise test using one leg may elicit a higher VO2 max than with two arms.