Time at V·O_2max during Intermittent Treadmill Running: Test Protocol Dependent or Methodological Artefact?

Abstract

Effects of methodological differences on the determination of time at V·O_2max (t_V·O2max ) during intermittent treadmill running were investigated. Subjects performed three incremental tests to volitional exhaustion: a continuous protocol with 1-min stages (Cont-INC_[1-min]), and two discontinuous protocols of 2-min (Dis-INC_[2-min]) and 3-min (Dis-INC_[3-min]) stage durations. For each test, V·O_2max and the running velocity associated with V·O_2max (vV·O_2max) were determined. On a fourth visit, subjects performed an intermittent test with 30-s work and relief intervals run at 105 % and 60 %, respectively, of the vV·O_2max determined during Cont-INC_(1-min). The t_V·O2max during the intermittent test was determined using three different criteria: V·O₂ data points ≥ 100 % V·O_2max determined in Cont-INC_(1-min) (t_{V·O2max[100 %]}), ≥ 95 % V·O_2max (t_{V·O2max[95 %]}) and ≥ V·O_2max minus 2.1 ml · kg^-1 · min^-1 (t_{V·O2max[- 2.1]}). The V·O_2max means (SD) for Cont-INC_(1-min), Dis-INC_(2-min) and Dis-INC_(3-min) were 4093 (538), 4096 (516), and 3980 (488) mL · min^-1, respectively. The t_V·O2max means (SD) were: t_{V·O2max(100 %)} 163 (227) s, t_{V·O2max(95 %)} 418 (439) s, and t_{V·O2max(- 2.1)} 358 (395) s. All differences in t_V·O2max were significantly different (p < 0.05). Differences in t_V·O2max due to using V·O_2max values derived from using different V·O₂ time-averages were significantly different (p < 0.05). Methodological differences should be considered during interpretation of previous studies.

Key words

criteria - interval - runners - maximal oxygen uptake

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