Interaction of test protocol and horizontal run training on maximal oxygen uptake

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Science
• Cardiorespiratory Fitness

Background:

• Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) is a key indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness.
• Understanding training specificity is crucial for optimizing exercise protocols.
• Treadmill testing protocols can vary, potentially influencing VO2max assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the interaction between training specificity and treadmill protocol specificity.
• To analyze changes in VO2max on inclined (IP) versus horizontal (HP) protocols after flat-terrain training.
• To determine if training exclusively on flat terrain affects VO2max assessment differently across protocols.

Main Methods:

• 12-week training study with 27 untrained college-age males.
• Experimental group (N=17) trained on flat terrain; control group (N=10) remained sedentary.
• Maximal treadmill tests (IP and HP) conducted pre- and post-training.
• Statistical analysis using multivariate analysis of variance and post-hoc t-tests.

Main Results:

• Trained subjects showed significant increases in VO2max on both IP (+8.9%) and HP (+8.7%).
• Control subjects showed a significant decrease in VO2max on HP (-3.2%) but no change on IP.
• No significant pre- to post-training interaction was found between protocols for VO2max.

Conclusions:

• Training exclusively on flat terrain enhances VO2max.
• The study does not support the concept of protocol specificity for VO2max evaluation in this context.
• Treadmill protocol (inclined vs. horizontal) did not significantly interact with flat-terrain training outcomes.