Conventional testing produces submaximal values for oxygen uptake in elite runners

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimecd to investigate whether elite athletes could reach higher values of maximal oxygen uptake (VO˙ 2max) during a decremental exercise test in comparison with a traditional incremental test, as recently demonstrated in trained individuals. Methods: Nine male runners (age 25.8 [5.1] y, season best 10-km time 31:19 [1:50]) performed, on different days, 3 maximal uphill (5% grade) running exercise tests in fixed order: an incremental test (INC1), a V-shape exercise test (where speed started at 0.5 km·h−1 higher than the top stage finished during INC1 and was slowly decreased during 5.5 min, when it was again increased in similar fashion to the INC tests), and a final incremental test (INC2). Results: VO˙ 2max during the V-shape exercise test was higher than during INC1 (6.3% [3.0%], P = .01), although running speed was lower (16.6 [1.7] vs 17.9 [1.6] km·h−1 , P = .01). Performance was similar between INC1 and INC2, but VO˙ 2max during INC2 was higher than INC1 (P < .001). During the V-shape exercise test, 5 participants reached the incremental part of the test, but VO˙ 2 did not increase (ΔVO˙ 2 = 52 ½259 mL · min−1, P = .67), despite higher running speed (approximately 1.1 km·h−1 , P < .01). Heart rate, pulmonary ventilation, breathing rate, and respiratory exchange ratio measured at VO˙ 2max were not different between tests. Conclusion: A decremental exercise test of sufficient intensity can produce higher VO˙ 2max than a traditional incremental test, even in elite athletes, and this is maintained during a subsequent incremental test.