Relationship between VO (2max) and repeated sprint ability using non-motorised treadmill ergometry
Brown, P.I.; Hughes, M.G.; Tong, R.J.
Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 47(2): 186-190
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-4707 PMID: 17557056 Document Number: 605383
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between maximal oxygen uptake (Vo(2max)) and repeated sprint ability (RSA) using non-motorised treadmill ergometry. Ten male participants (mean mL x kg(-1).min(-1)) completed a RSA test (10, 6-s sprints with 34-s recovery) on a non-motorised treadmill. Oxygen consumption (VO(2)) and heart rate (HR) were measured during the RSA test and the decrement of performance fatigue (%(d)) was calculated for the performance indices mean maximal speed (MxSp) and average power output (AvPO). There were significant relationships between VO(2max) and the %(d) MxSp (r=-0.75, P<0.05) and VO(2max) and the %(d) AvPO (r=-0.69, P<0.05). There were also significant relationships between VO(2max) and HR recovery (r=0.56, P<0.05) and VO(2max) and VO(2) recovery (r=0.7, P<0.01). However, while no significant relationships were reported between HR recovery and %(d) MxSp (r= 0.45, P>0.05) and HR recovery and %(d) AvPO (r=-0.52, P>0.05), significant relationships were observed between VO(2) recovery and %(d) MxSp (r=-0.75, P<0.05) and between VO(2) recovery and %(d) AvPO (r=-0.77, P<0.05). The findings of this study suggest that VO(2max) may be an important factor determining RSA during repeated, high-intensity running-based exercise, such as field hockey, rugby and soccer.