Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the sequence of exercise i.e. arms followed by legs and vice versa on the performance and metabolism of the physically fit subjects. The study was carried out on 10 male physical education students. They performed two exhaustive exercises lasting 4 min in three series: A (A-L) a bout of arms exercise preceded a bout of legs exercise: B (L-A) legs preceded arms, and C (A-A) two bouts of arms exercise. These was always 5 min recovery between bouts. Oxygen uptake, and heart rate were registered throughout each exercise. Blood samples were taken from fingertip at rest, after the first and second bout and at 4, 7, 70 and 30 min recovery to estimate lactate. Ammonia concentrations in venous blood plasma were measured at rest after the first and second bout and at 30 min recovery. The work done by legs was significantly greater than that by arms in each exercise. Work done by arms or legs in the second bout was lower than in the first bout. There were no differences between series in total oxygen uptake, but energy cost for unit of work (kJ) was greater during arm exercise. Each exercise caused high significant increase in lactate, and ammonia concentration in blood. Lactate concentration depended on total work done, and was significantly higher in legs exercise than in arms exercise. Increase in ammonia concentration was greater after arms than legs exercise even though the legs performed markedly more work. Verf.-Referat