Intraindividual correlation and comparison of maximal aerobic capacity and physical performance in hand-crank and treadmill spiroergometry.

Background: The aim of this study was to describe and compare the relationship between hand-crank and treadmill spiroergometry in associated parameters.

Methods: Thirty-seven healthy volunteers completed two exhausting performance diagnostics on both ergometers.

Results: The maximum HRmax, VO2peak and ventilatory thresholds were significant higher on the treadmill ergometer (P<0.001). The metabolic thresholds occurred at higher lactate values on hand-crank ergometer. Equations for calculating VO2peak from the maximum power on hand-crank and for the maximum speed on treadmill ergometer could be found via regression analysis. Severe physiological differences between upper and lower muscle groups make it difficult to compare the performance parameters on hand-crank and treadmill ergometer.

Conclusions: The estimated equations can be used to give a first impression of how performance parameters should be evaluated in this case. The results quantify the relationship between two well established ergometry methods in endurance assessment during rehabilitation. Patients with non-persistent limitations of the lower extremities can be advised to start endurance training on the hand-crank ergometer. As soon as possible the training method can be switched to the treadmill and individual results can be assessed and compared. This could lead to an improvement in training concepts for rehabilitation of patients as well as top-athletes.