Int J Sports Med 2018; 39(04): 304-313
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-122741
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Perceptually Regulated Exercise Test Allows Determination of V˙O2max and Ventilatory Threshold But Not Respiratory Compensation Point In Trained Runners

Perrine Truong
1   University of Lausanne, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, Lausanne, Switzerland
,
Gregoire P. Millet
2   University of Lausanne, Institute of Sport Sciences ISSUL, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, Lausanne, Switzerland
,
Boris Gojanovic
3   Hopital de la Tour, Swiss Olympic Medical Center, Meyrin, Switzerland
4   Swiss Federal Institute for Sport (BASPO), Magglingen, Switzerland
5   Sports Medicine Unit, Department of Human Locomotion, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland.
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted 24 October 2017

Publication Date:
23 February 2018 (online)

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the differences in maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) and submaximal thresholds between a standard graded exercise test (GXT) and a perceptually regulated graded exercise test (PRGXT) in trained runners. Eleven well-trained middle- to long-distance runners performed both tests in a randomized order. PRGXT used incremental “clamps” of rating of perceived exertion (RPE) over 10×1-min stages on an automated treadmill equipped with a sonar sensor allowing them to change their running speed instantly and in a natural way. GXT used fixed 1 km.h−1 increment every minute. Ventilatory threshold (VT) and respiratory compensation point (RCP) were determined using ventilatory equivalents. No differences were found in V̇O2max (68.0 (5.3) vs. 69.5 (5.9) ml·min−1·kg−1, p=0.243), minute ventilation (V̇E) (159.4 (35.0) vs. 162.4 (33.7) l·min−1, p=0.175), heart rate (HR) (188.4 (6.9) vs. 190.7 (5.2) bpm, p=0.254) and speed (21.0 (1.7) vs. 21.1 (2.3) km·h-1, p=0.761) between GXT and PRGXT. At VT, there were no significant differences between GXT and PRGXT for any outcome variables. For 8 of 11 subjects, it was not possible to determine RCP from ventilatory equivalent in PRGXT. GXT appears more relevant for a comprehensive gas analysis in trained runners.

 
  • References

  • 1 Beaver WL, Wasserman K, Whipp BJ. A new method for detecting anaerobic threshold by gas exchange. J Appl Physiol 1986; 60: 2020-2027
  • 2 Beltrami FG, Froyd C, Mauger AR, Metcalfe AJ, Marino F, Noakes TD. Conventional testing methods produce submaximal values of maximum oxygen consumption. Br J Sports Med 2012; 46: 23-29
  • 3 Beneke R. Maximal lactate steady state concentration (MLSS): experimental and modelling approaches. Eur J Appl Physiol 2003; 88: 361-369
  • 4 Bentley DJ, Newell J, Bishop D. Incremental exercise test design and analysis: Implications for performance diagnostics in endurance athletes. Sports Med Auckl NZ 2007; 37: 575-586
  • 5 Binder RK, Wonisch M, Corra U, Cohen-Solal A, Vanhees L, Saner H, Schmid J-P. Methodological approach to the first and second lactate threshold in incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil 2008; 15: 726-734
  • 6 Borg GA. Psychophysical bases of perceived exertion. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1982; 14: 377-381
  • 7 Chidnok W, DiMenna FJ, Bailey SJ, Burnley M, Wilkerson DP, Vanhatalo A, Jones AM. VO2max is not altered by self-pacing during incremental exercise: Reply to the letter of Alexis R. Mauger. Eur J Appl Physiol 2013; 113: 543-544
  • 8 Davis JA. Anaerobic threshold: review of the concept and directions for future research. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1985; 17: 6-21
  • 9 Eston R. Use of ratings of perceived exertion in sports. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2012; 7: 175-182
  • 10 Eston RG, Crockett A, Jones AM. Discussion of “The efficacy of the self-paced VO2max test to measure maximal oxygen uptake in treadmill running”. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2014; 39: 581-582
  • 11 Eston RG, Faulkner JA, Mason EA, Parfitt G. The validity of predicting maximal oxygen uptake from perceptually regulated graded exercise tests of different durations. Eur J Appl Physiol 2006; 97: 535-541
  • 12 Eston RG, Lamb KL, Parfitt G, King N. The validity of predicting maximal oxygen uptake from a perceptually-regulated graded exercise test. Eur J Appl Physiol 2005; 94: 221-227
  • 13 Eston RG, Thompson M. Use of ratings of perceived exertion for predicting maximal work rate and prescribing exercise intensity in patients taking atenolol. Br J Sports Med 1997; 31: 114-119
  • 14 Evans H, Parfitt G, Eston R. Use of a perceptually regulated test to measure maximal oxygen uptake is valid and feels better. Eur J Sport Sci 2014; 14: 452-458
  • 15 Faulkner J, Mauger AR, Woolley B, Lambrick D. The efficacy of a self-paced VO2max test during motorized treadmill exercise. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2015; 10: 99-105
  • 16 Hanson NJ, Buckworth J. Sex differences in time perception during self-paced running. Int J Exerc Sci 2016; 9: 514-523
  • 17 Hanson NJ, Scheadler CM, Lee TL, Neuenfeldt NC, Michael TJ, Miller MG. Modality determines VO2max achieved in self-paced exercise tests: validation with the Bruce protocol. Eur J Appl Physiol 2016; 116: 1313-1319
  • 18 Harriss DJ, Macsween A, Atkinson G. Standards for Ethics in Sport and Exercise Science Research: 2018 Update. Int J Sports Med 2017; 38: 1126-1131
  • 19 Hawkins MN, Raven PB, Snell PG, Stray-Gundersen J, Levine BD. Maximal oxygen uptake as a parametric measure of cardiorespiratory capacity. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2007; 39: 103-107
  • 20 Hodson-Tole EF, Wakeling JM. Motor unit recruitment patterns 1: responses to changes in locomotor velocity and incline. J Exp Biol 2008; 211: 1882-1892
  • 21 Hogg JS, Hopker JG, Mauger AR. The self-paced VO2max test to assess maximal oxygen uptake in highly trained runners. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2015; 10: 172-177
  • 22 Jankowska EA, Pietruk-Kowalczyk J, Zymliński R, Witkowski T, Ponikowska B, Sebzda T, Rzeczuch K, Borodulin-Nadzieja L, Hańczycowa H, Banasiak W, Ponikowski P. The role of exercise ventilation in clinical evaluation and risk stratification in patients with chronic heart failure. Kardiol Pol 2003; 59: 115-127 commentary 126–127
  • 23 Jenkins LA, Mauger AR, Hopker JG. Age differences in physiological responses to self-paced and incremental VO2max testing. Eur J Appl Physiol 2017; 117: 159-170
  • 24 Jenkins L, Mauger A, Fisher J, Hopker J. Reliability and validity of a self-paced cardiopulmonary exercise test in post-MI patients. Int J Sports Med 2017; 38: 300-306
  • 25 Keir DA, Fontana FY, Robertson TC, Murias JM, Paterson DH, Kowalchuk JM, Pogliaghi S. Exercise intensity thresholds: Identifying the boundaries of sustainable performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2015; 47: 1932-1940
  • 26 Lander PJ, Butterly RJ, Edwards AM. Self-paced exercise is less physically challenging than enforced constant pace exercise of the same intensity: influence of complex central metabolic control. Br J Sports Med 2009; 43: 789-795
  • 27 Lim W, Lambrick D, Mauger A, Woolley B, Faulkner J. The effect of trial familiarisation on the validity and reproducibility of a field-based self-paced VO2max test. Biol Sport 2016; 33: 269-275
  • 28 Mauger AR, Metcalfe AJ, Taylor L, Castle PC. The efficacy of the self-paced V̇O2max test to measure maximal oxygen uptake in treadmill running. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2013; 38: 1211-1216
  • 29 Mauger AR, Sculthorpe N. A new VO2max protocol allowing self-pacing in maximal incremental exercise. Br J Sports Med 2012; 46: 59-63
  • 30 Meyer T, Lucía A, Earnest CP, Kindermann W. A conceptual framework for performance diagnosis and training prescription from submaximal gas exchange parameters--theory and application. Int J Sports Med 2005; 26 (Suppl. 01) S38-S48
  • 31 Mezzani A, Hamm LF, Jones AM, McBride PE, Moholdt T, Stone JA, Urhausen A, Williams MA. Aerobic exercise intensity assessment and prescription in cardiac rehabilitation: A joint position statement of the European Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and the Canadian Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation. Eur J Prev Cardiol 2013; 20: 442-467
  • 32 Midgley AW, Bentley DJ, Luttikholt H, McNaughton LR, Millet GP. Challenging a dogma of exercise physiology: Does an incremental exercise test for valid VO2max determination really need to last between 8 and 12 minutes?. Sports Med Auckl NZ 2008; 38: 441-447
  • 33 Noakes TD. Testing for maximum oxygen consumption has produced a brainless model of human exercise performance. Br J Sports Med 2008; 42: 551-555
  • 34 Pokan R, Schwaberger G, Hofmann P, Eber B, Toplak H, Gasser R, Fruhwald F, Pessenhofer H, Klein W. Effects of treadmill exercise protocol with constant and ascending grade on levelling-off O2 uptake and VO2max. Int J Sports Med 1995; 16: 238-242
  • 35 Poole DC. Discussion: “The efficacy of the self-paced VO2max test to measure maximal oxygen uptake in treadmill running”. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2014; 39: 586-588
  • 36 Scheadler CM, Devor ST. VO2max measured with a self-selected work rate protocol on an automated treadmill. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2015; 47: 2158-2165
  • 37 Scheuermann BW, Kowalchuk JM. Attenuated respiratory compensation during rapidly incremented ramp exercise. Respir Physiol 1998; 114: 227-238
  • 38 Sperlich PF, Holmberg H-C, Reed JL, Zinner C, Mester J, Sperlich B. Individual versus standardized running protocols in the determination of VO2max. J Sports Sci Med 2015; 14: 386-393
  • 39 Stöggl T, Sperlich B. Polarized training has greater impact on key endurance variables than threshold, high intensity, or high volume training. Front Physiol 2014; 5: 33
  • 40 Straub AM, Midgley AW, Zavorsky GS, Hillman AR. Ramp-incremented and RPE-clamped test protocols elicit similar VO2max values in trained cyclists. Eur J Appl Physiol 2014; 114: 1581-1590
  • 41 Thompson PD, Arena R, Riebe D, Pescatello LS. ACSM’s new preparticipation health screening recommendations from ACSM’s Guidelines for exercise testing and prescription. Ninth edition Curr Sports Med Rep 2013; 12: 215-217
  • 42 Wasserman K, Van Kessel AL, Burton GG. Interaction of physiological mechanisms during exercise. J Appl Physiol 1967; 22: 71-85
  • 43 Wasserman K, Whipp BJ, Koyl SN, Beaver WL. Anaerobic threshold and respiratory gas exchange during exercise. J Appl Physiol 1973; 35: 236-243
  • 44 Whipp BJ, Davis JA, Wasserman K. Ventilatory control of the “isocapnic buffering” region in rapidly-incremental exercise. Respir Physiol 1989; 76: 357-367
  • 45 Wolpern AE, Burgos DJ, Janot JM, Dalleck LC. Is a threshold-based model a superior method to the relative percent concept for establishing individual exercise intensity? a randomized controlled trial. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 2015; 7: 16