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Grey Zone: A Gap Between Heavy and Severe Exercise Domain
Ozgur Ozkaya1, Gorkem Aybars Balci1, Hakan As2
1Coaching Education Department, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ege University, Bornova, Turkey.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
|March 10, 2020
Summary
A new critical threshold (CT) for exercise intensity was identified, representing a "grey zone" between heavy and severe domains. This finding can enhance athletic performance by optimizing training programs.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Human Performance
Background:
- Understanding exercise intensity domains is crucial for optimizing training.
- Existing thresholds like maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) and ventilatory threshold (VT) may not fully capture the nuances of exercise intensity.
- A gap exists between heavy and severe exercise intensities, potentially representing a distinct physiological domain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine a critical threshold (CT) as the highest intensity where oxygen consumption (V̇o2) stabilizes before reaching 95% of maximal oxygen uptake (V̇o2max).
- To compare this CT with commonly used anaerobic threshold indices, including maximal lactate steady state (MLSS), ventilatory threshold (VT), and critical power (CP).
- To investigate the physiological responses at intensities around the identified CT.
Main Methods:
- Ten well-trained male cyclists performed incremental tests for VT, multisession constant-load trials for V̇o2max, and constant-load exercises to determine CP.
- Maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) was determined using 30-minute constant-load exercises.
- Individual CT loads were tested using constant-load exercises with incremental +15 W intervals until V̇o2peak was elicited.
Main Results:
- The work rate at CT (329.5 ± 41.5 W) was significantly higher than MLSS (269.5 ± 38.5 W), VT (279.6 ± 33 W), and CP (306.3 ± 39.4 W).
- Critical power (CP) overestimated both VT and MLSS.
- Exercise at CT + 15 W consistently elicited V̇o2 responses greater than 95% of V̇o2max, indicating a severe exercise domain.
Conclusions:
- A distinct "grey zone" exists between heavy and severe exercise domains, defined by the critical threshold (CT).
- The CT provides a more accurate marker for the transition to severe exercise intensity compared to traditional thresholds.
- Understanding and applying the CT can significantly improve the effectiveness of training programs for enhancing athletic performance.
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