VersaClimbing elicits higher &OV0312;O2max than does treadmill running or rowing ergometry

Abstract

Collegiate varsity oarswomen and coxswain (N = 11) completed maximal aerobic exercise tests on a treadmill, a rowing ergometer, and a simulated climbing machine. Successful completion of each test was evidenced by a plateau in oxygen consumption in response to increasing work rates. V̇O_2max (l-min⁻¹), and minute ventilation (V_E, l-min⁻¹) at V̇O_2max were significantly greater (P < 0.05) during simulated climbing compared to treadmill running and rowing ergometry. Maximal heart rate (beats-min⁻¹) was significantly greater (P < 0.05) during climbing and running than during rowing. Findings indicate that progressive, incremental, whole-body climbing exercise elicits significantly greater V̇O_2max values for collegiate oarswomen and coxswain than does graded treadmill running or progressive rowing ergometry.