Physiological responses to exercise on a cycle ergometer are typically how much lower in maximum oxygen uptake compared to a treadmill?

The physiological responses to exercise on a cycle ergometer are generally observed to be lower in maximum oxygen uptake compared to a treadmill due to several factors related to the muscles utilized, the position of the body, and the nature of the activities being performed.

When comparing the two modalities, cycling primarily recruits lower body muscles and typically involves less overall body mass contribution because the upper body is not as actively engaged. This results in a slightly lower oxygen demand than running or walking on a treadmill, which engages a greater proportion of the body's musculature, leading to a higher cardiovascular response and, consequently, higher oxygen uptake.

The range of 5% to 20% represents a well-accepted estimate within the fitness and exercise physiology community for this difference in oxygen uptake between these two modes of exercise, aligning with studies that demonstrate that individuals tend to achieve their highest metabolic rates on a treadmill due to the more extensive muscle recruitment and the biomechanics involved. This information is crucial for exercise prescription and understanding individual variations in performance based on the type of exercise chosen.