Comparison of the 45s-15s Intermittent Running Field Test and the Continuous Treadmill Test

PURPOSE: i) to compare the physiological responses and maximal aerobic running velocity (MAV) during an incremental intermittent (45s run/15s rest) field test (45-15FIT) versus an incremental continuous treadmill test (TR); ii) to demonstrate that the MAV obtained during 45-15FIT (MAV45-15) was relevant to elicit a high percentage of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) during a 30s-30s intermittent training session. METHODS: Oxygen uptake (VO2), heart rate (HR), and lactate concentration [La] were measured in 20 subjects during two maximal incremental tests and four 15-min intermittent tests. The time spent above 90 and 95% VO2max (t90 and t95% VO2max, respectively) was determined. RESULTS: Maximal physiological parameters were similar during both 45-15FIT and TR test (VO2max: 58.6 ± 5.9 ml.kg-1.min-1 for TR vs 58.5 ± 7.0 ml.kg-1.min-1 for 45-15FIT; HRmax: 200 ± 8 bpm for TR vs 201 ± 7 bpm for 45-15FIT). MAV45-15 was significantly (P<0.001) greater than MAVTR (17.7 ± 1.1 km.h-1 vs 15.6 ± 1.4 km.h-1). t90% VO2max and t95% VO2max during the 30s- 30s performed at MAVTR were significantly (P<0.01) lower compared to the 30s-30s performed at MAV45-15. Similar VO2 during intermittent tests performed at MAV45-15 and at MAVTR, can be obtained by reducing the recovery time or using active recovery. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggested that the 45-15FIT is an accurate field test to determine VO2max and that MAV45-15 can be used during a high intensity intermittent training such as 30s run interspersed with 30s rest (30s-30s) to elicit a high percentage of VO2max.