Metabolic and cardiocirculatory strain on three different ergometer types: Cycling, Cross-Trainer and Stairmaster

The aim of this investigation was to compare metabolic and cardiocirculatory stress during incremental testing between three different ergometer types. The cycle ergometer Cyclus 2 (RBM electronik-automation) was compared with a Cross-Trainer 1 500 and a Stairmaster 1500 (both Ergo-Fit). Twenty-eight healthy subjects (20 m, 8 f) were tested using a step-wise incremental test on each ergometer (stage duration: 3 min). For cycle ergometry, the initial stage was 50 or 100 W with an increment of 50 W. Intensities for Cross-Trainer and Stairmaster followed device-specific scales. Oxygen uptake (VO2; MetaLyzer Il, Cortex, Leipzig) and heart rate (HR) were determined at each stage. Cardiocirculatory stress (HR) was compared between ergometer types as related to given values of VO2 which were defined with regard to the cycle ergometer stages (100, 150, 200, 250 W). The power output displayed on the CrossTrainer as well as on the Stairmaster were not linearly related to VO2. HR of Cross-Trainer and Stairmaster for given VO2 were always lower ((x) over bar =5,4 min-1; s=9,6 Crosstrainer; (x) over bar =6,9 min-1; s=8,7 Stairmaster) compared to the cycle ergometer. However, this difference did not reach significance. It can be concluded that for purposes of training prescription, the transferability of HR from cycle ergometer tests to Cross-Trainer or Stairmaster training is limited.