Int J Sports Med 2011; 32(6): 433-437
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1271770
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Are Peak Oxygen Uptake and Power Output at Maximal Lactate Steady State Obtained from a 3-Min All-Out Cycle Test?

B. Sperlich1 , M. Haegele1 , A. Thissen1 , J. Mester1 , H. -C. Holmberg2
  • 1Institute of Training Science and Sport Informatics, German Sport University Cologne, Germany
  • 2Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision January 19, 2011

Publication Date:
04 March 2011 (online)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine whether 1) the power output attained in the last 30 s of a 3-min all-out test (Pend) correlates with the power output at maximal lactate steady state (PMLSS) and whether 2) peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) can be obtained from a 3-min all-out test in well-trained cyclists. 18 cyclists (23±3 years; 186.1±6.9 cm; 79.1±8.2 kg; VO2peak: 63.2±5.2 mL · kg−1 · min−1) performed a ramp test, a 3-min all-out test and several submaximal constant 30 min-workload tests at +15, 0, −15, −30, −45, −60,−75, −90 W of Pend to obtain PMLSS. PMLSS was significantly lower compared to PEND (p<0.001; mean difference: 54±18 W) with a high correlation (r=0.93; R2=0.87; p<0.001) but great intra-individual variability (15–90 W). There were no mean differences between the ramp-VO2peak and 3-min all-out cycling VO2peak (p=0.29; mean difference: 133±514 mL · min−1) showing significant correlation (r=0.60; R2=0.37; p=0.006) but great intra-individual variability (1 057–1 312 mL · min−1). We therefore suggest that in well-trained cyclists a 3-min all-out test is 1) not sufficient to obtain PMLSS and 2) should not be applied to assess VO2peak.

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Correspondence

Dr. Billy Sperlich

German Sport University

Cologne

Institute of Training Science

and Sport Informatics

Am Sportpark

50933 Cologne

Germany

Phone: + 49/221/4982 4850

Fax: + 49/221/4982 8180

Email: sperlich@dshs-koeln.de