Incremental exertion test (IET)
RPE
The IET was performed on a semi-recumbent ergometer (ergometrics 900, ergoline GmbH, Bitz, Germany) at a constant speed of 60–70 rpm. The test started with a 50 W load, which was increased by 15 W every minute until exhaustion occurred. The criteria for exhaustion were a cycling cadence below 60 revolutions per minute, a respiratory quotient above 1.1 and/or reaching the limit of perceived exertion. Each subject continued the test for an additional 5-min recovery period at a 25% load of Pmax. Spirometry (K4b, Cosmed, Italy), thoracic impedance (PhysioFlow, Manatec Biomedical, France), and an electrocardiogram (custo, BT300 custo GmbH, Germany) were synchronized and ran simultaneously during the entire time. Impedance cardiography employs disposable sensors on the neck and chest to measure electrical and impedance changes in the thorax. The change in impedance signal and its timing due to blood flow in the aorta are used to calculate hemodynamic parameters. Furthermore, blood pressure (BP) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded every 3 min during the IET. The maximal load and cardiopulmonary parameters (IET 100%) at this level represent the reference for the maximum dynamic workload (Tables Mean values during exercise period (n = 14; three sets of 10 repetitions, excluding warm-up and recovery phases).Significant values are in bold.Values are presented as the means and standard deviation; Mean values during the post-exercise period (n = 14; mean at one minute after exercise periods).Significant values are in bold.Values are presented as the means and standard deviation; 