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Abstract
Ten male subjects participated in two randomly assigned experimental sessions involving either one- or two-legged cycling. Exercise was initiated at 25 watts and increased by 25 watts every 3 minutes to maximal work output. At each workload, oxygen consumption ([Vdot]O2), carbon dioxide production ([Vdot]CO2), blood lactate (HLa) concentration, minute ventilation ([Vdot]E), respiratory exchange ratio (R), heart rate (HR), cardiac output ([Qdot]), stroke volume (SV), and A-[Vdot]O2 difference were determined. It was found that while absolute differences existed at given work levels, each of the aforementioned variables was similar during one- versus two-legged cycling when expressed as relative percentage of [Vdot]O2 max. Anaerobic threshold (AT) for both one- and two-legged cycling was approximately 48% [Vdot]O2 max. This indicated that the size of the exercising muscle mass is not necessarily an influential factor in determination of AT. Two-legged cycling elicited higher maximal responses in each of the measured physiological variables. This indicated that the size of the exercising muscle mass is critical in the determination of maximal physiological responses to exercise. Factors limiting two-legged maximal performance (e.g., [Qdot]) did not limit maximal exercise responses with one leg.