Abstract
The aims of this study were (1) to establish the best fit between ventilatory and lactate exercise performance parameters in running and (2) to explore novel alternatives to estimate the maximal aerobic speed (MAS) in well-trained runners. Twenty-two trained male athletes (O2max 60.2 ± 4.3 ml·kg·min−1) completed three maximal graded exercise tests (GXT): (1) a preliminary GXT to determine individuals' MAS; (2) two experimental GXT individually adjusted by MAS to record the speed associated to the main aerobic–anaerobic transition events measured by indirect calorimetry and capillary blood lactate (CBL). Athletes also performed several 30 min constant running tests to determine the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS). Reliability analysis revealed low CV (<3.1%), low bias (<0.5 km·h−1), and high correlation (ICC > 0.91) for all determinations except V-Slope (ICC = 0.84). Validity analysis showed that LT, LT+1.0, and LT+3.0 mMol·L−1 were solid predictors of VT1 (−0.3 km·h−1; bias = 1.2; ICC = 0.90; p = 0.57), MLSS (−0.2 km·h−1; bias = 1.2; ICC = 0.84; p = 0.74), and VT2 (<0.1 km·h−1; bias = 1.3; ICC = 0.82; p = 0.9l9), respectively. MLSS was identified as a different physiological event and a midpoint between VT1 (bias = −2.0 km·h−1) and VT2 (bias = 2.3 km·h−1). MAS was accurately estimated (SEM ± 0.3 km·h−1) from peak velocity (Vpeak) attained during GXT with the equation: MASEST (km·h−1) = Vpeak (km·h−1) * 0.8348 + 2.308. Current individualized GXT protocol based on individuals' MAS was solid to determine both maximal and submaximal physiological parameters. Lactate threshold tests can be a valid and reliable alternative to VT and MLSS to identify the workloads at the transition from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism in well-trained runners. In contrast with traditional assumption, the MLSS constituted a midpoint physiological event between VT1 and VT2 in runners. The Vpeak stands out as a powerful predictor of MAS.
Highlights
Numerous studies have embraced the question of how training programs based on individualized physiological parameters may increase cardiorespiratory performance in endurance sports like running or cycling
Physiological variables such as maximal oxygen uptake (V O2max), submaximal metabolic inflection points like the pulmonary ventilation thresholds (VT) and lactate thresholds (LT), the maximal aerobic speed (MAS: the speed associated with V O2max), or the peak velocity (Vpeak: the highest speed attained at the end of the test) are regular variables used by coaches and scientists to estimate and monitor running performance during training and competition events (Farrell et al, 1979; di Prampero et al, 1986; Stratton et al, 2009; McLaughlin et al, 2010)
As suggested by pioneering studies (Buchfuhrer et al, 1983; Lukaski et al, 1989), recent investigations (Midgley et al, 2007) and reviews (Julio et al, 2017), traditional longer graded exercise tests (GXTs) (i.e., 20–30 min) to determine LT including increments each 3–5 min would prevent the athlete from achieving their MAS due to accumulative fatigue, dehydration, muscle acidosis, and cardiovascular drift
Summary
Numerous studies have embraced the question of how training programs based on individualized physiological parameters may increase cardiorespiratory performance in endurance sports like running or cycling. As suggested by pioneering studies (Buchfuhrer et al, 1983; Lukaski et al, 1989), recent investigations (Midgley et al, 2007) and reviews (Julio et al, 2017), traditional longer GXTs (i.e., 20–30 min) to determine LT including increments each 3–5 min would prevent the athlete from achieving their MAS due to accumulative fatigue, dehydration, muscle acidosis, and cardiovascular drift This is critical because MAS is a pertinent and widespread criterion to set training intensities for endurance disciplines (Billat and Koralsztein, 1996; Jones and Carter, 2000). The validity and reliability of GXT with 1-min stages protocol in runners needs to be fully verified
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