Prototype Whole Body Exercise Device May Be Useful for Anaerobic Exercise Training

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to document the metabolic effects of exercising on a novel, whole body exercise device (Fish and Kangaroo machine). Metabolic outcomes were broken down into aerobic (oxygen consumption and heart rate) and anaerobic (blood lactate) effects. The Fish and Kangaroo machine allowed for simultaneous arm and leg motion while the subject was lying in a prone position. Variable resistance to motion was controlled by a spring system, which applied 20 pounds of resistance to each arm and 50 pounds of resistance to each leg. For this study we recruited healthy, physically active adults (men=4, women=6) to perform 6 exercise/rest intervals over a period of 42-min (Interval = 1-min of exercise and 4-min of passive recovery).  Oxygen consumption (VO₂), ventilation (VE) and energy expenditure (EE) were measured via automated analysis of expired respiratory gas (ParvoMedics). Heart rate (HR) was measured by telemetry (Polar).  Blood lactate was measured using a hand held meter (Lactate Plus). With the exception of lactate all other measures were made continuously. An ANOVA with repeated measures was used to test outcome variables and a P<0.05. Compared to the peak response of the first exercise interval there was a progress rise in VO₂ (13%; P<0.0001), VE (17%; P<0.0001), EE (20%; P<0.001), HR (13%; P<0.0001), and blood lactate (50%; P<0.0001) over the course of the exercise intervals.  With the exception of HR and blood lactate all of other variables returned to pre-exercise values within 4-min of the end of the last exercise interval. The peak lactate of 10.69±0.72 mmol/L remained elevated at 10-min post exercise, while HR remained elevated by 20% at 10-min post exercise. Further evaluation of these findings demonstrates the current design of the Fish and Kangaroo Machine elicits an exercise response that is primarily anaerobic in nature.