During exhaustive ramp-incremental cycling tests, the incidence of O2 uptake (V̇O2) plateaus is low. To verify the attainment of maximum V̇O2 (V̇O2max), it is recommended that a trial at a power output (PO) corresponding to 110% of the ramp-derived peak (POpeak) is performed. It remains unclear whether verification trials set at this PO can be tolerated for long enough to allow attainment of V̇O2max. Eleven recreationally-trained individuals performed five ramp tests of varying slope (5, 10, 15, 25, 30 W·min-1), each followed, in series, by two verification trials: the 1st at 110%POpeak of the 25 W·min-1 ramp and the 2nd at 110% POpeak attained in the preceding ramp test. Exercise duration of the 1st verification trial was on average 81±15 s (CV=9±3%) versus 162±32, 121±24, 103±15, and 73±10 s for the 2nd verification trials at 110% of POpeak of the 5, 10, 15, and 30 W·min-1 ramp tests, respectively (P<0.05). Compared to the highest V̇O2 recorded during ramp tests, V̇O2 from the subsequent verification trials were not different for the 5, 10, and 15 W·min-1 ramp tests (P>0.05), but lower for the 25 and 30 W·min-1 ramp tests (P<0.05). Verification trials at 110%POpeak of rapidly-incrementing ramp tests (i.e., 25 W·min-1) were not sustained for long enough to allow the attainment of V̇O2max. With commonly used rapidly-incrementing ramp tests engendering exhaustion within 8-12 min, verification trials <POpeak should be preferred as they can be sustained sufficiently long to allow the attainment of V̇O2max.

The critical power (CP) and maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) are operational surrogates of the maximal metabolic steady state (MMSS). However, their concordance and their agreement with MMSS remain variable likely because of methodological factors. Purpose: This study aimed to compare the concordance between CP and MLSS estimated by various models and criteria and their agreement with MMSS. Methods: After a ramp test, 10 recreationally active males performed four to five severe-intensity constant-power output (PO) trials to estimate CP and three to four constant-PO trials to determine MLSS and identify MMSS. CP was computed using the three-parameter hyperbolic (CP 3-hyp ), twoparameter hyperbolic (CP 2-hyp ), linear (CP lin ), and inverse of time (CP 1/Tlim ) models. In addition, the model with the lowest combined parameter error identified the "best-fit" CP (CP best-fit ). MLSS was determined as an increase in blood lactate concentration ≤1 mM during constant-PO cycling from the 5th (MLSS 5-30 ), 10th (MLSS 10-30 ), 15th (MLSS 15-30 ), 20th (MLSS 20-30 ), or 25th (MLSS 25-30 ) to 30th minute. MMSS was identified as the greatest PO associated with the highest submaximal steady-state V ˙O2 (MV ˙O2ss ). Results: Concordance between the various CP and MLSS estimates was greatest when MLSS was identified as MLSS 15-30 , MLSS 20-30 , and MLSS 25-30 . The PO at MV ˙O2ss was 243 ± 43 W. Of the various CP models and MLSS criteria, CP 2-hyp (244 ± 46 W) and CP lin (248 ± 46 W) and MLSS 15-30 and MLSS 20-30 (both 245 ± 46 W), respectively, displayed, on average, the greatest agreement with MV ˙O2ss . Nevertheless, all CP models and MLSS criteria demonstrated some degree of inaccuracies with respect to MV ˙O2ss . Conclusions: Differences between CP and MLSS can be reconciled with optimal methods of determination. When estimating MMSS, from CP the error margin of the model estimate should be considered. For MLSS, MLSS 15-30 and MLSS 20-30 demonstrated the highest degree of accuracy.