Cardio-respiratory responses to rowing ergometry and treadmill exercise soon after myocardial infarction.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare the cardio-respiratory differences between rowing ergometry and treadmill exercise in beta-blocked men participating in exercise rehabilitation soon after myocardial infarction (postMI).


METHODS
Eleven males all receiving beta-blockade medication were measured for oxygen consumption (VO2), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) at individualized submaximal exercise target heart rates (THR) during 6 min of exercise on each of a motorized treadmill and a rowing ergometer 2-6 wk (4.9 +/- 1.4) postMI.


RESULTS
The mean THR of the group, predetermined from an exercise ECG stress test, was 107 +/- 16 beats x min(-1). No significant difference was found between rowing versus treadmill VO2 (19.4 +/- 3.2 vs 19.7 +/- 4.2 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1); P = 0.53) or RPE (12.6 +/- 1 vs 12.7 +/- 1; P = 0.72). RER was significantly greater (P = 0.02) during rowing (0.99 +/- 0.07) compared with treadmill exercise (0.94 +/- 0.07).


CONCLUSIONS
Exercising at a specified submaximal THR during rowing versus treadmill exercise in beta-blocked men participating in very early cardiac rehabilitation represents the same VO2 and RPE. A significantly greater RER was, however, apparent during rowing compared with treadmill exercise; thus, agreement was shown with previous studies on healthy individuals where rowing ergometry was less metabolically efficient than treadmill exercise. The results suggest that establishing a THR from a standard treadmill stress test soon after MI is not only suitable for walking/treadmill exercise but also in setting exercise intensity for rowing ergometry.
Buckley
J P
JP
Department of Physiotherapy Studies, Keele University, Staffordshire, England. j.p.buckley@keele.ac.uk
Davis
J A
JA
Simpson
T
T
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004562:Electrocardiography; D016552:Ergometry; D005080:Exercise Test; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists