Comparison of results of spiroergometry on running and bicycle ergometer of athletes with running and cycling specialization
Purpose: A choice between a running or bicycle ergometer is not possible in every labora-tory. Significant differences may appear in measuring results of ergometers with different load specificity. The objective of our paper is to determine a difference in values measured during a spiroergometry test on a bicycle ergometer and a running ergometer in adolescent endurance sportsmen, with different specializations, for mountain cyclists and middle- and long-distance runners. Methods:The experiment involved 10 cyclists and 10 runnersat the national top level. The cyclists and runners were dividedin two groups: one half of the tested group completed the first test on a running ergometer and the other on a bicycle ergometer. The test on the other ergometer was taken after three days’ time. The progressed load test up to “vita maxima” was used for both ergometers. The examined parameters included values of VO2max, VT, VE, BF, HRmax and WRmax. Results were evaluated in terms of both statistical and substantial significance. Statistical significance was ascertained by means of t-test at the level α = 0.05. Cohen’s d was used to evaluate substantial significance. Results: The results showed substantially significant differences for runners in all examined pa-rameters. Asubstantially significant difference in measurement results of cyclists was discovered for parameters VO2max, V , VE and WRmax. In runners, the mean of values for the most important parameter VO2max reached 60.6 ± 4.24 ml.min-1.kg-1 when running, and 56.0 ± 5.34 ml.min-1.kg-1 when cycling; values reached by cyclists were 56.6 ± 5.16 ml.min-1.kg-1 when running, and 61.30 ± 4.47 ml.min-1.kg-1 when cycling. The only parameter not to correspond with the sportsmen’s specializations was VT, as it revealed larger values on a bicycle also for runners. Conclusion: Results confirmed the correspondence between the load specificity according to the ergometer selected and the specificity of sports pursued. It was proven that it is nec-essary to select a suitable type of appliance for determining VO2max according to the sports pursued.