Work Speed as a Measure of an Equivalent Exercise Stress in Subjects of Different Weights

Abstract

The use of work speed, as opposed to work load, as a predictive variable for heart rate during steady state submaximal exercise, increased the correlation and decreased the standard error of the prediction around the regression line. In addition, the relationship of pulse rate and work speed was shown to be independent of body weight, while the relationship of pulse rate and work load was influenced by the body weight. The establishment of a submaximal exercise test, which would be an equivalent physiologic stress in subjects of different weights, would require that they perform exercise at a similar work speed rather than at a constant work load. Such recommendations, in addition, are at variance with those previously made in regard to subjecting individuals of different weights to an equivalent exercise stress.