Measurements of aerobic capacity by three different work tests, namely two cycling tests with pedal frequencies of 60 and 50 rpm respectively and a treadmill walk test, were carried out on 8 male Japanese students studying at the University of California at Santa Barbara. The maximal oxygen uptake (max V_o2) for all three tests was not significantly different (P>0.05). However, ventilatory parameters reflected differing patterns by which the max V_o2 was obtained. The study data indicated that cycling exercises at a pedaling frequency of 60 rpm produced excessive hyperventilation leading to syncope during recovery from exercise.