Physiologic responses to maximal treadmill and deep water running in men and women

Abstract

Maximal physiologic responses to treadmill running and deep water running using a flotation device were com pared in 12 trained men and 12 trained women. Al though the men had significantly higher ventilation vol umes, VO₂max (liters of oxygen per minute and milli liters of oxygen per kilogram per minute), there were no significant differences in maximal heart rates or respiratory exchange ratios between the sexes. Signif icantly lower ventilation volumes, VO₂max (LO₂:min^-1 and mlO₂·kg ^-1·min^-1), and heart rates were obtained in response to maximal water running compared to treadmill running, regardless of gender. Neither the men's nor the women's maximal respiratory exchange ratios were significantly different between modes. The analysis of variance indicated that there were no signif icant interactions for any of the maximal responses to the tests between the sexes. The magnitude of these differences is similar to that found between treadmill running and cycling ergometry and should not preclude deep water running as a training technique. Caution, however, is advised if the training intensity is to be prescribed on the basis of land-determined heart rates.