Time at V·O2max during Intermittent Treadmill Running: Test Protocol Dependent or Methodological Artefact?

A. W. Midgley; L. R. McNaughton; S. Carroll

doi:10.1055/s-2007-964972

International Journal of Sports Medicine, Table of Contents

Int J Sports Med 2007; 28(11): 934-939
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-964972

Training & Testing

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

A. W. Midgley¹ , L. R. McNaughton¹ , S. Carroll¹

¹Department of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom

Abstract

Effects of methodological differences on the determination of time at V·O_2max (t_{V·O_2max}) 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·O_2max} 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·O_2max[100 %]}), ≥ 95 % V·O_2max (t_{V·O_2max[95 %]}) and ≥ V·O_2max minus 2.1 ml · kg^-1 · min^-1 (t_{V·O_2max[- 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·O_2max} means (SD) were: t_{V·O_2max(100 %)} 163 (227) s, t_{V·O_2max(95 %)} 418 (439) s, and t_{V·O_2max(- 2.1)} 358 (395) s. All differences in t_{V·O_2max} were significantly different (p < 0.05). Differences in t_{V·O_2max} 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

Full Text

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Dr. PhD Adrian Wayne Midgley

Department of Sport, Health, and Exercise Science
University of Hull

HU6 7RX Hull

United Kingdom

Fax: + 44 14 82 46 51 49

Email: A.W.Midgley@hull.ac.uk