HR using arms vs. legs

[demasoni]

I was using my new toy today (Polar HRM) during my normal run and noticed as expected that the faster I ran, the higher my HR. However, if I stood still and moved my arms back and forth, around in circles, and up and down, no matter how fast, my HR would barely rise. This was even true when I held my breath and did it. So, there seems to be a connection between the legs and the heart. (Please excuse my apparent ignorance )

In a diving context, should we as divers rely more on arm propulsion than leg for depth as well as dynamics? Has anyone researched this?

 

[JPPLAY]

Moving your arms through air you have very little resistance. When you walk you are carrying your body weight. That is allot more resistance. Do something hard with your arms and you will notice that your HR increases. A good example is go to the gym and use the machine that you just spin using your arms. Watch your HR jump doing that.

 

[fflupo]

as well as your leg muscles a bigger than the ones on your arms, i think
for sure they burn more o2
f.e. like in cwf and fim

 

[Mullins]

But do they burn less oxygen for a given energy output? I doubt it. The only reason FIM is more efficient is you've got something solid to pull against, not because you're using a different muscle group.

 

[naiad]

I have noticed that dynamic with arms only is much easier than with legs only, or even with arms and legs. At one point, the distance I could do with arms only, floating face down, was greater than my dynamic PBs with and without fins.

The amount of oxygen for a given energy output is probably the same, but the amount of forward movement for a given energy output may be different.

 

[azapa]

It is very useful try to use both in one dive to benefit from the O2 in each sets of muscle. I guess this is more applicable in spearing, when on the bottom the arms are used to scoot along the bottom, and then using the gun as a pole, to give a good firm push of the bottom. Even on a constant weight dive a good turn/pull on the rope gets you off to a good start.

 

[fflupo]

..,but isn t the actual physical/mechanical work the same if you pull your buoancy down/forward or if you push it down or forward ?

 

[azapa]

hi fflupo, yes the work is the same, but you are giving one set of tools a rest