Responses to exercise at the velocity associated with VO2max
Hill, D.W.; Rowell, A.L.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 29(1): 113-116
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0195-9131 PMID: 9000163 Document Number: 477441
The purpose of this study was to assess the significance of the velocity at which an individual achieves ovrhdot VO-2max in an incremental treadmill test (V-max) and the time that this velocity can be sustained (T-max) to evaluate the rationale for using V-max and T-max in the prescription of endurance exercise training. Mean (+- SD) values for ovrhdot VO-2max and V-max in 13 female track athletes were 52.1 +- 5.1 ml cntdot kg cntdot min-1 and 271 +- 18 m cntdot min-1, respectively. Then each athlete performed an exhaustive run at her V-max. In these runs, ovrhdot VO-2max was achieved after 234 +- 49 s and was maintained for 56 +- 48 s (range, 10-155 s) which was the last 18 +- 13% (range, 4-47%) of the total exercise bout. Only one of the 13 subjects reached ovrhdot VO-2max in the first 60% of the constant velocity test. Thus, while ovrhdot VO-2max was attained during exhaustive exercise at V-max, the amount of time that it was sustained was quite small (less than 60 s) and highly variable. It was concluded that V-max is a suitable intensity to elicit ovrhdot VO-2max in training. But 60% (or less) of T-max is not an appropriate duration for training at this intensity because it is too short a time to allow most athletes to reach ovrhdot VO-2max.