Gender comparison of peak oxygen uptake: repetitive box lifting versus treadmill running

The gender differences in peak oxygen uptake (V˙O_2peak) for various modes of exercise have been examined previously; however, no direct gender comparisons have been made during repetitive lifting (RL). In the present study the V˙O_2peak between RL and treadmill running (TR) was compared between 20 men mean (SD) age, height, body mass and body fat: 21 (3) years, 1.79 (0.06)?m, 81 (9)?kg, 19 (6)%, respectively] and 20 women mean (SD) age, height, body mass and body fat: 21 (3) years, 1.63 (0.05)?m, 60 (7)?kg, 27 (6)%, respectively]. V˙O_2peak (l?·?min^?1), defined as the highest value obtained during exercise to volitional fatigue, was determined using discontinuous protocols with treadmill grade or box mass incremented to increase exercise intensity. For RL V˙O_2peak, a pneumatically driven shelf was used to lower a loaded box to the floor, and subjects then lifted the box, at a rate of 15 lifts?·?min^?1. V˙O_2peak (l?·?min^?1 and ml?·?kg^?1?·?min^?1) and minute ventilation (V˙ _E, l?·?min^?1) were determined using an on-line gas analysis system. A two-way repeated measures analysis of variance revealed significant gender effects, with men having higher values for V˙O_2peak (l?·?min^?1 and ml?·?kg^?1?·?min^?1) and V˙ _E, but women having higher values of the ventilatory equivalent for oxygen (V˙ _E/V˙O₂). There were also mode of exercise effects, with TR values being higher for V˙O_2peak (l?·?min^?1 and ml?·?kg^?1?·?min^?1) and V˙ _E and an interaction effect for V˙O_2peak {1?·?min^?1 and ml?·?kg^?1?·?min^?1) and V˙ _E/V˙O₂. The women obtained a greater percentage (≈84%) of their TR V˙O_2peak during RL than did the men (≈79%). There was a marginal tendency for women to decrease and men to increase their V˙ _E/V˙O₂ when comparing TR with RL. The magnitude of the gender differences between the two exercise modalities appeared to be similar for heart rate, V˙ _E and R, but differed for V˙O_2peak (1?·?min^?1 and ml?·?kg^?1?·?min^?1). Lifting to an absolute height (1.32?m for the RL protocol) may present a different physical challenge to men and women with respect to the degree of involvement of the muscle groups used during lifting and ventilation.