Upper-body exercise performance: comparison between women and men

Abstract

This study compared upper-body (arm crank) aerobic fitness for a group of women (n = 8) and men (n = 9) matched for lower-body (cycle) aerobic fitness (X¯ ± S.E. = 50 ±2ml kg⁻¹ min⁻¹) and also examined the influence selected physiological factors had on upper-body exercise performance. The components of upper-body exercise studied included maximal power output (PO_max), peak oxygen uptake (peak [Vdot]O₂), elbow isokinetic strength i»nd endurance, arm volume and endurance time at 80% arm crank peak [Vdot]O₂. During maximal effort upper-body exercise, there was no difference in peak [Vdot]O₂ (ml kg⁻¹ min⁻¹) between the genders despite the men's significantly greater strength, arm volume and PO_max; Likewise, there was no difference in upper body endurance time at 80% peak [Vdot]O₂ between the genders. These data indicated that (i) women are not at a disadvantage in performing aerobic upper-body exercise, (ii) skeletal muscle strength provides a relatively minor influence on both maximal effort and prolonged upper-body exercise; and (iii) individuals can perform prolonged upper-body exercise at relative intensities greater than that needed to elicit an aerobic training effect.

Keywords:

• Arm crank and cycle exercise
• Arm volume
• Prolonged exercise
• Gender differences
• Maximal power output
• Peak [Vdot]O₂.