Accuracy of training recommendations based on a treadmill multistage incremental exercise test.

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Science
• Running Biomechanics

Background:

• Laboratory-based treadmill running (TM) is frequently used to gather performance data for competitive runners.
• The physiological comparability between TM and over-ground (OG) running is crucial for accurate training prescription.
• Understanding the simulation accuracy of TM protocols is essential for exercise science research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate if a standard laboratory treadmill running protocol accurately simulates the physiological demands of over-ground running.
• To compare key physiological and performance metrics between treadmill and over-ground running conditions.
• To assess the reliability of treadmill running for physiological data collection in competitive runners.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 15 healthy runners with consistent training volume.
• Participants completed two stepwise incremental exercise tests to exhaustion, one on a treadmill and one over-ground, in a fixed order.
• Primary endpoints included individual anaerobic threshold (IAT) velocity (IATspeed), heart rate (IATHR), and blood lactate (IATbLa); secondary endpoints included distance covered (DIST), maximal heart rate (HRmax), maximal blood lactate (bLamax), and rate of perceived exertion (RPE).

Main Results:

• No significant differences were found in IATspeed, DIST, or HRmax between TM and OG conditions.
• Significant differences were observed in maximal blood lactate concentration (bLamax) and RPE at IATspeed.
• Strong correlations (r = 0.815–0.988) were found between TM and OG for IATspeed, DIST, HRmax, and bLamax, indicating high reliability.

Conclusions:

• Treadmill running provides a physiologically comparable simulation to over-ground running for key performance indicators.
• The high reliability suggests that laboratory-based treadmill testing can be confidently used for training recommendations.
• While some measures like RPE may differ, the overall physiological demands are well-represented by treadmill protocols.