The present study aimed to compare maximal oxygen uptake of a step incremental test with time to exhaustion verification tests (TLIM) performed on the same or different day. Nineteen recreationally trained cyclists (age: 23 ± 2.7 years; maximal oxygen uptake: 48.0 ± 5.8 mL·kg−1·min−1) performed 3 maximal tests as follows: (i) same day: an incremental test with 3-min stages followed by a TLIM at 100% of peak power output of the incremental test (TLIM-SAME) interspaced by 15 min; and (ii) different day: a TLIM at 100% of peak power output of the incremental test (TLIM-DIFF). The maximal oxygen uptake was determined for the 3 tests. The maximal oxygen uptake was not different among the tests (incremental: 3.83 ± 0.41; TLIM-SAME: 3.72 ± 0.42; TLIM-DIFF: 3.75 ± 0.41 L·min−1; P = 0.951). Seven subjects presented a variability greater than ±3% in both verification tests compared with the incremental test. The same-day verification test decreased the exercise tolerance (240 ± 38 vs. 310 ± 36 s) compared with TLIM-DIFF (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the incremental protocol is capable of measuring maximal oxygen uptake because similar values were observed in comparison with verification tests. Although the need for the verification phase is questionable, the additional tests are useful to evaluate individual variability. Novelty Step incremental test is capable of measuring maximal oxygen uptake with similar values during TLIM on the same or different day. Although the necessity of the verification phase is questionable, it can allow the determination of variability in maximal oxygen uptake.

IntroductionThe present study aimed to investigate the effects of two high-intensity interval training (HIIT) shuttle-run-based models, over 10 weeks on aerobic, anaerobic, and neuromuscular parameters, and the association of the training load and heart rate variability (HRV) with the change in the measures in young futsal players.MethodsEleven young male futsal players (age: 18.5 ± 1.1 years; body mass: 70.5 ± 5.7 kg) participated in this study. This pre-post study design was performed during a typical 10 weeks training period. HIIT sessions were conducted at 86% (HIIT86; n = 6) and 100% (HIIT100; n = 5) of peak speed of the FIET. Additionally, friendly and official matches, technical-tactical and strength-power training sessions were performed. Before and after the training period, all players performed the FIET, treadmill incremental, repeated sprint ability (RSA), sprint 15-m, and vertical jump tests (CMJ and SJ), and the HRV was measured. Training load (TL) was monitored using the session rating of perceived effort. Data analysis was carried out using Bayesian inference methods.ResultsThe HIIT86 model showed clear improvements for the peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), peak speed in the treadmill incremental test, first and second ventilatory thresholds, RSA best and mean times, CMJ, and SJ. The HIIT100 model presented distinct advances in VO2peak, peak speed in the treadmill incremental test, RSA mean time, and CMJ. Between HIIT models comparisons showed more favorable probabilities of improvement for HIIT86 than HIIT100 model in all parameters. TL data and HIIT models strongly explained the changes in the RSA mean and best times (R2 = 0.71 and 0.87, respectively), as well as HRV changes, and HIIT models explained positively VO2peak changes (R2 = 0.72). All other changes in the parameters were low to moderately explained.ConclusionThe HIIT86 proved to be more effective for improving aerobic, RSA, and neuromuscular parameters than HIIT100 during a typical 10-week futsal training period. So, strength and conditioning specialists prescribing shuttle-run intermittent exercises at submaximal intensities can manage the individual acceleration load imposed on athlete increasing or decreasing either the set duration or the frequency of change of direction during HIIT programming.

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O objetivo do estudo foi comparar as características antropométricas e produção de potência aeróbia (pico de velocidade no teste de Carminatti [PVT-CAR]) entre diferentes categorias e níveis maturacionais em atletas de futebol. Cinquenta e três atletas do sexo masculino participaram do estudo divididos entre as categorias sub-11 (n=17; idade=10,6 ± 0,5 anos), sub-13 (n=16; idade=12,3 ± 0,4 anos), sub-15 (n=11; idade= 14,2 ± 0,4 anos) e sub-17 (n=9; idade= 16,6 ± 0,5 anos), e realizaram duas visitas: a primeira consistiu em avaliações antropométricas com massa corporal, estatura e dobras cutâneas, e questionário do estado pubertário; e a segunda visita foi avaliada a produção de potência aeróbia realizada com um teste progressivo com 5 séries de corrida vai-e-vem de 12 segundos, com 6 segundos de repouso, até a exaustão voluntária. A distancia inicial do teste foi de 15 metros, com aumentos de progressivos de 1 metro a cada série, a maior velocidade atingida no teste (km.h-1) foi determinada como máxima produção de potência aeróbia (PVT-CAR). Os resultados demonstraram que as variáveis idade, estatura, massa corporal e PVT-CAR se diferenciam entre as categorias, e estágios maturacionais (púberes e pós-púberes, comparado com pré-púberes) (p0,05). Em conclusão, pode-se afirmar que idade cronológica e estágios maturacionais exercem importante função em relação as variáveis antropométricas e PVT-CAR, visto que os atletas classificados como pós-púberes mostram melhores desempenhos na produção de potência aeróbia, levando em consideração as mudanças nos aspectos físicos e fisiológicos que são constantes durante esta fase. Por fim, o PVT-CAR se apresenta como uma importante ferramenta para classificação de um grupo, visto que atletas maturados suportam maiores cargas de treino.

The current study aimed to compare the anaerobic power output through the Wingate test in different positions, i.e., standing and seated, and identify the relationship between power-output and body mass. Methods:Eleven male competitive cyclists (age: 30.3 ± 4.7 years; body mass: 73.7 ± 7.7 kg; body fat: 11.3 ± 4.2%) were submitted to two sessions of the Wingate test (WT) in different positions, on different days. Results: The peak power (W), average power (W), relative peak power (W•kg -1 ), relative average power (W•kg -1 ), average cadence (rpm), and average velocity (km•h -1 ) presented significant differences in the standing position compared with the seated position (p < 0.05), 1155 ± 130 vs. 1082 ± 182 (W), 875 ± 96 vs. 818 ± 116 (W), 15.9 ± 1 vs. 15.0 ± 2 (W kg-1 ), 12.1 ± 1 vs. 11.3 ± 1 (W kg -1 ), 117.5 ± 7 vs. 109.8 ± 10 (rpm), 37.0 ± 2 vs. 34.6 ± 3 (km•h -1 ), respectively. However, when controlled the body mass, the differences in variables power output ceased to exist (p > 0.05). The fatigue and peak heart rate (bpm) indices did not present significant differences between the tests (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Sprint performance was improved when the WT was performed in a standing position in competitive cyclists. The study also reports the important relationship between body mass and anaerobic production capacity in the WT, emphasizing that it is desirable an increase in lean body mass and a reduction in fat mass, similar in competitions. We suggest that, for anaerobic assessment in cyclists, the standing position should be used during the WT, to determine the maximum power-output capacity.