Physical exercise has been considered one of the mechanisms that improve health and quality of life. As a consequence of the enhanced demand for fitness centers, physical activities in liquid environment, especially aquatic cycling, have increased in the last years. However, methods of assessment and prescription of aerobic training in these equipments are still scarce. The objective of this study was to propose an adapted test of Conconi et al (1982) to aquatic bicycle. 27 participants (24 ± 6 years, 171 ± 8 cm, 66 ± 12 kg), 15 male and 12 female, were assessed. The participants have been submitted to a graded test in aquatic bicycle, with initial load of 50 RPM and increments of 3 RPM each minute, until exhaustion. HR was registered during the entire test. For data analysis, descriptive statistics were used as well as Student "t" test for comparison between genders. HRDP was identified in 85% of the subjects. There were not significant differences in HRmax (181 ± 12 and 181 ± 10 BPM), HRDP (162 ± 10 and 172 ± 9 BPM) and %HRDPrpm (91 ± 4 and 90 ± 3 % RPMmax) between males and females, respectively. On the other hand, RPMmax (81 ± 6 and 72 ± 5 RPM), %HRDP (90 ± 5 and 93 ± 3 %HRmax) and HRDPrpm (74 ± 6 and 66 ± 4 RPM) were significantly different. In conclusion, the adapted Conconi test can be performed in aquatic bicycle.
Aerobic training; Cicloergometer; Heart rate
