The purpose of this study was to evaluate the specificity of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and the dynamic response of oxygen uptake (VO2) to sinusoidal work load in distance runners and in American-football players. Sinusoidal work load during ergometer cycling was carried from 30 W to 60% to VO2max (60% VO2max) for a 2 min period. VO2 was measured by the breath-by-breath method. The subjects were 10 distance runners (DRs), 10 American-football players (AFPs), and 11 untrained men (UTM). Mean VO2max was 64.4 mL kg-1 min-1 in the DRs, 53.1 mL kg-1 min-1 in the AFPs and 47.3 mL kg-1 min-1 in the UTM. The fundamental amplitudes of the VO2 response, normalized by dividing by steady state VO2 at 60% VO2max, were similar in the AFPs (20.3%) and the UTM (19.5%), and both were significantly less than in the DRs (25.5%). Phase shift to work load expressed in degrees was similar in the AFPs (87.7 degrees) and UTM (88.0 degrees), but significantly greater than in the DRs (80.4 degrees). HR dynamics in all three groups were similar to a dynamic VO2 response. These findings suggest that development of the dynamic VO2 response and higher VO2max is achieved in the DRs. They also suggest that despite the higher VO2max in the AFPs there is no improvement in the dynamic VO2 response. The results of the present study demonstrate that athletes participating in different sports have characteristic dynamic VO2 responses during cycling exercise.