Abstract
The purpose of this study was to clarify the significance of evaluating exercise capacity during upper limb exercise. The subjects were 10 healthy adults. Anaerobic threshold (AT), VE/VCO2 slope and TV/RR slope were measured using a portable ergometer during upper and lower limb exercises and the exercise capacity was computed. The results show the exercise capacity was significantly correlated between upper and lower limb exercises (AT, r=0.77; VE/VCO2 slope, r=0.96, p<0.05). Upper limb exercise induced a rapid, shallow breathing pattern. These results suggest that upper limb exercise might reflect total exercise capacity and this might be a useful index for exercise capcity in patients with lower limb impairments.
