Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Exercise Stress Test

Exercise Stress Test

Introduction
Exercise stress testing, commonly known as a treadmill test, is a noninvasive procedure used to evaluate cardiovascular function and diagnose heart conditions.
Definition
An exercise stress test measures the heart's response to exertion using a treadmill or stationary bicycle. Chest electrodes record the heart's electrical activity through an ECG, and blood pressure is monitored regularly.
Purposes

Exercise and Muscle Performance

Exercise and Muscle Performance

Exercise induces a range of adaptations in muscle tissue, depending on the type and duration of activity. Such physical training can be broadly categorized into two types: endurance exercises and resistance exercises.
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Timing Matters: Effectiveness of Compressive Garments on Recovery in Trail Runners.

Journal of strength and conditioning research·2026

Same author

Tracking Performance Limits Using Multi-Timescale Maximal Mean Power Ratios.

European journal of sport science·2026

Same author

Quantitative ultrasound radiofrequency analysis for monitoring Parkinson's disease.

Neuroscience·2026

Same author

Beyond Euglycemia: Case Studies Using Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Elite Athletes Without Diabetes During Record Athletic Events.

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)·2026

Same author

AI-Driven Analysis of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Tests to Identify Gas Exchange and Ventilatory Thresholds.

Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)·2026

Same author

Continuous Glucose Monitoring-Derived Glucose Metrics Over Time in Physically Active Adults Without Diabetes Using a Commercial Continuous Glucose Monitoring Application.

Journal of diabetes science and technology·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 12, 2025

A Real-World High-Intensity Interval Training Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Fitness Improvement

A Real-World High-Intensity Interval Training Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Fitness Improvement

Published on: February 22, 2022

Eager to set a record in a vertical race? Test your VO_2max first!

Alessandro Fornasiero^1,2, Aldo Savoldelli^1,2, Andrea Zignoli^1,3

¹Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, CeRiSM, Sport Mountain and Health Research Centre, University of Verona, Rovereto, Italy.

Journal of Sports Sciences

|February 1, 2023

Summary

Highly-trained mountain runners need high maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) for vertical races (VRs). Performance in VRs, including vertical kilometres (VKs), is strongly linked to VO2max, with specific requirements for winning or setting records.

Keywords:

Running off-road running vertical performance

More Related Videos

Supramaximal Intensity Hypoxic Exercise and Vascular Function Assessment in Mice

Supramaximal Intensity Hypoxic Exercise and Vascular Function Assessment in Mice

Published on: March 15, 2019

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans

Published on: October 17, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Aug 12, 2025

A Real-World High-Intensity Interval Training Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Fitness Improvement

A Real-World High-Intensity Interval Training Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Fitness Improvement

Published on: February 22, 2022

Supramaximal Intensity Hypoxic Exercise and Vascular Function Assessment in Mice

Supramaximal Intensity Hypoxic Exercise and Vascular Function Assessment in Mice

Published on: March 15, 2019

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans

Published on: October 17, 2018

Area of Science:

Sports Science
Exercise Physiology
Biomechanics

Background:

Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) is a key indicator of aerobic fitness.
Vertical races (VRs), including vertical kilometres (VKs), are demanding endurance events.
Understanding the physiological demands of VRs is crucial for athlete training and performance optimization.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the relationship between maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and performance in various types of vertical races (VRs).
To model the VO2max requirements for winning or setting records in national (NVRs), international (IVRs), and record VRs (RVRs).
To explore potential variations in metabolic demand based on VR characteristics.

Main Methods:

Analysis of 270 performances from 26 VRs over an 11-year period (2012-2022).
Inclusion of cardiopulmonary data from 64 highly-trained mountain runners (53 males, 11 females).
Development of separate exponential models to describe the VO2max-performance relationship for NVRs, IVRs, and RVRs.

Main Results:

Strong correlations (R² > 0.91) were found between performance and VO2max in all VR categories.
Estimated VO2max requirements to win/set records varied significantly across NVRs, IVRs, and RVRs, with higher demands for international and record-setting races.
Significant differences in VO2max requirements were observed between males and females for winning and record-setting performances.

Conclusions:

VO2max is a critical determinant of success in vertical races.
Specific VO2max thresholds are necessary for elite performance in different levels of VRs.
Variations in terrain, technical difficulty, and pole usage may influence the metabolic demands of off-road running, warranting further investigation.