Energy Output During Hydraulic Resistance Circuit Exercise for Males and Females

Abstract

Twenty men and 15 women completed three consecutive circuits of a 9-station hydraulic resistance exercise routine using different movement speeds. Subjects exercised maximally at each station for 30 seconds and advanced to the next station during the 30-second rest period, O₂ averaged 44.1 percent (24.5 ml·kg·min⁻¹) of treadmill maximum for males and females, respectively. Energy output averaged 41.4 kJ per min and 27.6 kJ per min for males and females, respectively. While significant differences were found between males and females regarding O₂ and energy ouput, these diffferences were not present when the comparisons were made on a fat-free weight basis or as a percentage of maximum tread-mill performance. O₂ elicited during the circuits was not seemingly affected by movement speed. Hydraulic resistance circuit exercise was found to elicit O₂ and heart rate responses similar to conventional circuit resistance exercise.