To determine the effect of exercise mode on ventilatory patterns, 22 trained men performed two maximal
graded exercise tests; one running on a treadmill and one cycling on an ergometer. Tidal flow-volume (FV)
loops were recorded during each minute of exercise with maximal loops measured pre and post exercise.
Running resulted in a greater VO2peak than cycling (62.7 ± 7.6 vs. 58.1 ± 7.2 mL kg−1 min−1). Although
maximal ventilation (VE) did not differ between modes, ventilatory equivalents for O2 and CO2 were
significantly larger during maximal cycling. Arterial oxygen saturation (estimated via ear oximeter) was
also greater during maximal cycling, as were end-expiratory (EELV; 3.40 ± 0.54 vs. 3.21 ± 0.55 L) and endinspiratory
lung volumes, (EILV; 6.24 ± 0.88 vs. 5.90 ± 0.74 L). Based on these results we conclude that
ventilatory patterns differ as a function of exercise mode and these observed differences are likely due
to the differences in posture adopted during exercise in these modes