Effect of exercise speed on heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and rate-pressure product during upper extremity ergometry

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of arm cranking speed on heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and rate-pressure product (RPP) using an isokinetic upper extremity ergometer. Fifteen healthy men exercised for one minute at a work load of 300 kg·m/min and for five minutes at a work load of 600 kg·m/min on three different occasions at speeds of 30, 60, and 90 rpm. An analysis of variance and a Duncan's multiple range test were performed on all immediate postexercise (IPE) values. Significant differences were found in IPE HR and RPP across the exercise speeds. No significant differences were found in IPE SBP. The 60-rpm speed elicited significantly lower HR and RPP responses than the 30- or 90-rpm speeds. The 90-rpm speed elicited significantly lower HR responses than the 30-rpm speed. These results indicated that the 60-rpm speed caused the least cardiovascular stress at a submaximal work load of 600 kg·m/min.