RESPONSES TO EXERCISE ON CARDIOFITNESS DEVICES IN COMPARISON TO CYCLING OR RUNNING

Exercise on indoor cardiofitness devices is supposed to be more effective than classical types of endurance sports like cycling or running. METHODS: We investigated this question by measuring oxygen uptake (VO2), heart rate (HR), lactic acid (LA) and RPE on Minitrampoline, Moonwalker and Crosstrainer and compared the results with cycling on an ergometer or running on a treadmill. 3 × 20 sports students aged between 20 and 30 years performed standardized step tests on the three cardiofitness devices, and on cycle ergometer or on treadmill. The graded exercise protocol was standardized either by step frequency or by workload. RESULTS: VO2 and LA for Minitrampoline and Crosstrainer work were predominantly higher, for Moonwalker similar to comparable workloads on the treadmill or on cycle ergometer. HR for Minitrampoline and Moonwalker was similar, for Crosstrainer higher at comparable levels of intensity. RPE did not show strenuous correlations to physiological reactions. DISCUSSION: When regarding high oxygen uptake and high total energy consumption as a criterion for health benefit, training on Minitrampoline and Moonwalker seems to be less effective, training on Crosstrainer comparable or even more effective than classical endurance training like running or cycling. In addition the Crosstrainer offers good gradations of exercise intensity and is therefore an indoor alternative to classical endurance training.