Effects Of 2min Active Recovery On A "Booster" Vo2Max Test Using Male Cross Country Runners

Abstract

Maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) tests typically end at the point of volitional exhaustion. However, previous research with averagely fit individuals and highly fit female athletes suggest that concluding a maximal treadmill test with 2min active recovery and allowing subjects to exercise a second time at the workload eliciting volitional exhaustion results in significantly greater VO2 max values (1.4% and 4.2% mean increase, respectively). The potential effects of this testing sequence (2min recovery) on VO2max treadmill tests has not been evaluated utilizing highly fit NCAA male distance runners. PURPOSE: To examine changes in VO2max values following 2min of active recovery at the conclusion of a treadmill GXT to volitional exhaustion. METHODS: Ten NCAA Division II male X-country runners completed a max treadmill GXT until reaching volitional exhaustion (MAX1). Immediately following 2min active recovery (at 0% grade & 2.5 mph), each subject exercised to volitional exhaustion a second time (MAX2). MAX1 and MAX2 were compared using a paired T-test. Differences were considered significant at p < 0.05. RESULTS: No significant differences (p = 0.38) occurred between MAX1 (64.7 ± 3.8 ml/kg/min) and MAX2 (64.2 ± 4.8 ml/kg/min). The mean change from MAX1 to MAX2 following 2min active recovery was -0.8% with individual values ranging from -7.7% to +2.6%. However, 50% of the subjects benefited (+1.4% mean increase) from the booster test with individual increases of +0.2% up to +2.6%. CONCLUSION: Mean results suggest that 2min active recovery may not allow significantly greater VO2 max values to be achieved by highly fit male runners during treadmill testing, yet 50% of the subjects increased their VO2max during the "booster max" treadmill protocol. Further research is needed to determine if fitness level, running experience, age, sport specificity, or other variables might affect this exercise testing protocol.