Abstract
PurposeContinuous incremental protocols (CP) may misestimate the maximum aerobic velocity (Vmax) due to increases in running speed faster than cardiorespiratory/metabolic adjustments. A higher aerobic capacity may mitigate this issue due to faster pulmonary oxygen uptake (dot{V}O2) kinetics. Therefore, this study aimed to compare three different protocols to assess Vmax in athletes with higher or lower training status.MethodsSixteen well-trained runners were classified according to higher (HI) or lower (LO) dot{V}O2maxdot{V}O2-kinetics was calculated across four 5-min running bouts at 10 km·h−1. Two CPs [1 km·h−1 per min (CP1) and 1 km·h−1 every 2-min (CP2)] were performed to determine Vmaxdot{V}O2max, lactate-threshold and submaximal dot{V}O2/velocity relationship. Results were compared to the discontinuous incremental protocol (DP).ResultsVmax, dot{V}O2max, dot{V}CO2 and VE were higher [(P < 0.05,(ES:0.22/2.59)] in HI than in LO. dot{V}O2-kinetics was faster [P < 0.05,(ES:-2.74/ − 1.76)] in HI than in LO. dot{V}O2/velocity slope was lower in HI than in LO [(P < 0.05,(ES:-1.63/ − 0.18)]. Vmax and dot{V}O2/velocity slope were CP1 > CP2 = DP for HI and CP1 > CP2 > DP for LO. A lower [P < 0.05,(ES:0.53/0.75)] Vmax-difference for both CP1 and CP2 vs DP was found in HI than in LO. Vmax-differences in CP1 vs DP showed a large inverse correlation with Vmax, dot{V}O2max and lactate-threshold and a very large correlation with dot{V}O2-kinetics.ConclusionsHigher aerobic training status witnessed by faster dot{V}O2 kinetics led to lower between-protocol Vmax differences, particularly between CP2 vs DP. Faster kinetics may minimize the mismatch issues between metabolic and mechanical power that may occur in CP. This should be considered for exercise prescription at different percentages of Vmax.
Highlights
A successful aerobic performance depends on several physiological, biomechanical, and psychological factors (Bentley et al 2007; Coyle 1995)
V O2max Maximum oxygen uptake V O2/Velocity slope Regression analysis of the V O2 vs velocity relationship at submaximal workloads V O2 kinetics V O2-transition from rest to steady-condition Vmax The velocity associated with maximum oxygen uptake V CO2 Carbon dioxide production RER Respiratory exchange ratio SaO2 Arterial O2 saturation VE Expiratory ventilation BLa- Blood lactate concentration rate of perceived exertion (RPE) Rate of perceived exertion analysis of variance (ANOVA) Analysis of variance effect size (ES) Effect size 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) 95% Confidence intervals
The present study aimed to investigate how aerobic training status may affect V max assessment during continuous protocols (CP) vs Discontinuous incremental protocols (DP) in two groups of athletes, characterized by different aerobic training conditions
Summary
A successful aerobic performance depends on several physiological, biomechanical, and psychological factors (Bentley et al 2007; Coyle 1995). V O2max and Vmax are generally determined using different incremental running protocols (Kuipers et al 2003; Riboli et al 2017), among which continuous or discontinuous tests that may vary in work rate increments and stage duration (Billat et al 1996; Kuipers et al 2003; Riboli et al 2017). Incremental continuous protocols (CP) last short overall duration and they have been shown as a valid and reliable method to determine V O2max despite the submaximal physiological adjustments cannot be reached as in DP due to increments in work rate faster than cardiorespiratory and metabolic adjustments (Riboli et al 2017, 2021). A precise Vmax assessment should be carefully taken into account for athletes’ testing and training prescription (Riboli et al 2017; Bentley et al 2007)
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