Comparison of VO2, HR, and Ventilatory Threshold responses between Treadmill Running and Treadmill Skating.

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR), and Ventilatory Threshold (VT) responses between treadmill running and treadmill skating. METHODS: Sixteen male high school hockey players (16±1 yrs), all above average fitness level, participated in this study. Subjects participated in two maximal exercise tests to exhaustion: a continuous skating treadmill test and a running treadmill test. The VO2 (L-mirr−1) and HR (beats-min−1) responses were averaged every 15 seconds up to VO2 max for each trial. Absolute VT (L-min−1), VT as a percentage of VO2 max (%), HR, and VO2 breakpoints were identified using a bi-segmental regression model. Differences between pre- and post-breakpoint slopes for HR and VO2 in both exercise trials were determined using an independent t-test. RESULTS: A breakpoint response (94% of study participants) was detected for VO2and HR during both treadmill running and treadmill skating exercise up to VO2max. However, no significant differences in the pre- and post-breakpoint slopes for HR and VO2 were present during treadmill running. In contrast, a significant difference between the pre- and post-breakpoint slopes for VO2 and HR was present for the continuous skating protocol. Out of the study participants, 75% demonstrated an upward deflection in VO2 and a downward deflection in HR during treadmill skating. There were no differences observed in absolute VT or %VT between the exercise modalities.Table*Pre/post breakpoint slopes significantly different (p <.05) CONCLUSION: The HR and VO2 breakpoint analyses suggested that a non-linear response occurred during the skating trial in the majority of subjects; whereas, a more linear response occurred during treadmill running for these subjects. It is clear that physiological differences in the responses of HR and VO2 exist between these exercise modalities. Therefore, we suggest that to enhance the specificity of ice skating performance testing, the skating treadmill be used as the modality of choice.