One-minute stages are optimal for maximal exercise testing in endurance male and female athletes

Over the last 40 yr., there has been a relative consensus that incremental exercise tests used to determine Maximal Oxygen uptake (V̇O₂max), maximal aerobic intensity, and ventilatory thresholds should last between 8 and 12 min. However, recent studies have questioned this recommendation, suggesting that it may be outdated, although this is not yet established in the literature. This study compared V̇O₂max, Maximum Aerobic Power (MAP), and ventilatory thresholds between two incremental exercise protocols in amateur endurance athletes.

Thirteen women and 15 men (aged 24-53 yr) completed two maximal progressive tests, performed in random order (short-term and long-term), with a 2- to 4-day interval. In the short-term test, the workload increased by 25 W per minute, while in the long-term test, the workload increased by 25 W every 3 min. Both protocols were performed until exhaustion. The variables assessed included ventilatory threshold (VT), Respiratory Compensation Point (RCP), V̇O₂max, MAP, Maximal Heart Rate (HRmax), and maximal oxygen pulse.

No significant differences were found between the short-term (8-12 min) and long-term (19-28 min) protocols for V̇O₂max (p = 0.79), HRmax (p = 0.715), or maximal oxygen pulse (p = 0.40). However, absolute and relative MAP (p < 0.001) and power at RCP (p < 0.001) were significantly lower in the short-term protocol. Moreover, men showed a greater reduction in MAP during long-term tests than women.

These findings suggest that 1-min stage tests are more time-efficient and effective for assessing V̇O₂max and MAP.