Kinetics of oxygen uptake and cardiac output at onset of arm exercise

Pulmonary oxygen uptake (Vover dot(O2)) kinetics at onset of exercise is reported to be slower for arm than for leg exercise. This could be attributed to reduced cardiac output (Qover dot) or reduced arteriovenous O-2 content difference or both. To test this, Vover dot(O2), mean tissue oxygen consumption (Vover dot(O2T)), and Qover dot kinetics in arm cranking were compared with corresponding values found in leg cycling. The increase in Vover dot(O2) during phase 1 (abrupt increase after onset of exercise) was less in arm than in leg exercise, suggesting that immediate Qover dot adjustments to arm exercise were less pronounced. Mean response times (MRT, the relative rates at which a steady state was attained) for Vover dot(O2), Vover dot(O2T), and Qover dot were prolonged during arm exercise. The MRT of Vover dot(O2) in arm exercise at a given blood lactate increase was higher than in leg exercise. The delayed Vover dot(O2) kinetics in arm exercise might be due to delayed Qover dot kinetics and higher anaerobic glycolysis occurring early during arm exercise.