Validation Of The 3-min All-out Exercise Test For Shuttle Running Prescription

Abstract

A 3-min all-out exercise test (3MT) for running has been developed to determine critical speed (CS) and finite capacity for running speeds >CS (D’) to predict time limits (TLIMs) and it can be utilized for prescribing interval training; however, the 3MT has not been validated for shuttle running, which is required in most team sports. PURPOSE: To examine the efficacy of shuttle running 3MT to determine CS and D’. METHODS: A total of 12 subjects were tested using an all-out 3MT along with three separate all-out distance time-trials (600, 810 and 1020 m) in a 30 m distance shuttle. Average speed during the 3MT for each 10 m distance and times for each time-trial was recorded. 3MT was used to calculate predicted CS, D’ and TLIMs. The 3 time-trials were used to determine true CS and D’ using D-t, and 1/t models. Within-group analyses of CS and D’ from the 3MT, D-t, and 1/t models were evaluated using a series of one-way analyses of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures. Actual and predicted times for the 3 distances were evaluated with a 2 X 3 ANOVA with repeated measures. RESULTS: The 3MT (2.94 ± 0.39 m·s−1) and the true CS (3.00 ± 0.36 m·s−1) for shuttle running did not differ (p = 0.71) and had a coefficient of variation (CV) of 7.7%. Conversely, D’ from the 3MT exceeded true D’ by 42 m (p = 0.04, CV = 36%). The TLIMs estimated for the 3 different distances were within ~2 to 6% (p = 0.60). CONCLUSIONS: The shuttle run 3MT may offer a suitable method for predicting CS and TLIMs and prescribing shuttle running interval training.