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Responses to exercise at the velocity associated with VO2max
1Department of Kinesiology, University of North Texas, Denton 76203, USA. dhill@coefs.coe.unt.edu
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Velocity at VO2max (Vmax) can elicit maximal oxygen uptake during endurance training. However, the time sustained (Tmax) is too short and variable for most athletes to reach VO2max.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
Background:
- VO2max is a key indicator of aerobic fitness.
- Vmax and Tmax are proposed metrics for endurance training prescription.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the significance of Vmax and Tmax for endurance exercise training prescription.
- To determine if Vmax and Tmax are suitable for eliciting VO2max in training.
Main Methods:
- 13 female track athletes performed incremental treadmill tests to determine Vmax.
- Athletes then performed exhaustive runs at their Vmax to measure VO2max attainment and duration.
Main Results:
- VO2max was achieved during exhaustive runs at Vmax, but sustained for a highly variable and short duration (mean 56 +/- 48 s).
- Less than 60 seconds of sustained effort at Vmax was insufficient for most athletes to reach VO2max.
Conclusions:
- Vmax is a suitable intensity to elicit VO2max in training.
- Training durations based on 60% or less of Tmax are inappropriate due to insufficient time to reach VO2max.