Maximal and submaximal oxygen uptake efficiency slope: influence of cardiorespiratory variables and maximal dynamic strength

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate if the OUES is determined by the same factors when calculated with VO 2 and VE values throughout the incremental test (OUES 100 ) or using values until 80% of the VO 2 max (OUES 80 ).Methods: 116 healthy male individuals performed a maximal incremental test, two constant-speed tests and a maximal dynamic strength test.Results: OUES 100 and OUES 80 were significantly correlated (r = 0.964; P < 0.001). VO 2 max was the main determinant factor for both OUES 100 and OUES 80 . Additionally, maximal heart rate (HRmax) and maximal dynamic strength (1RM) were the other variables selected for the two models as secondary variables. However, the importances of them were inversed, with the HRmax being the second determinant of the OUES 80 , while 1RM the second determinant for OUES 100 . The running economy, ventilatory threshold and respiratory compensation point were not selected for the models (P > 0.05). Conclusions:Our results suggest that the OUES 80 might satisfactorily replace maximal variables in aerobic fitness evaluations without maximal effort requirement. VO 2 max seems to be the main factor determining oxygen uptake efficiency slope, regardless the range (maximal or submaximal) used to determine. Otherwise, the muscle strength plays a more important role to the oxygen uptake efficiency considering maximal intensities, while the cardiovascular system seems to more strongly influence the oxygen uptake efficiency only until submaximal intensities.