Testing protocol affects the velocity at VO_2max in semi-professional soccer players

Abstract

To compare three different protocols to assess the velocity associated with the maximal oxygen uptake (V max ) in soccer players. Sixteen semi-professional soccer players performed three maximum incremental tests on treadmill: two continuous protocols [1 km•h −1 •min −1 (CP1); and 1 km•h −1 every 2 min (CP2)], and one discontinuous (DP) protocol to determine V max , maximum oxygen uptake (VO 2max ) and oxygen cost of running (i.e., the slope of the VO 2 vs velocity relationship at submaximal exercise). V max was higher in CP1> CP2> DP (19.4 ± 1.7, 17.4 ± 1.2, 16.1 ± 1.1 km•h −1 for CP1, CP2, and DP, respectively; P < 0.05 ES: 0.09 to 3.36). No difference in VO 2max was found between CP1, CP2 and DP (P > 0.05). Oxygen cost of running showed between-protocol differences (CP1> CP2> DP; P < 0.05; ES: 0.28 to 3.30). V max was higher when determined using continuous vs discontinuous protocols due to the greater overestimation in oxygen cost of running. Such differences in V max should be considered to optimize acute physiological responses during high-intensity running activities.

Training status affects between-protocols differences in the assessment of maximal aerobic velocity

“…workload vs recovery ratio) on O 2max (Vinetti et al 2017 ), these findings reinforce previous data demonstrating that O 2max was independent of the protocol adopted across different incremental testing procedures (Bentley et al 2007 ; Billat et al 1996 ; Riboli et al 2017 ). The present outcomes are in line with previous literature, in which no differences in O 2max were observed between protocols in different populations, such as recreationally-active men (Kirkeberg et al 2011 ), physically-active young adults (Riboli et al 2017 ), semi-professional soccer players (Riboli et al 2021 ) and competitive middle- and long-distance runners (Billat et al 1996 ; Kuipers et al 2003 ). Similar results were also found in moderately-active cyclists during cycle-ergometric evaluation (Adami et al 2013 ).…”

“…The present findings demonstrate that V max was protocol-dependent, as also previously observed (Kuipers et al 2003 ; Riboli et al 2017 , 2021 ). The steeper the work rate increase, the higher the V max in both groups.…”

“…However, the long overall duration of DP would markedly lengthen the whole testing phase, thus affecting the possibility to test several athletes within one single session, as often required in sports practice. Conversely, incremental continuous protocols (CP) last short overall duration and they have been shown as a valid and reliable method to determine O 2max despite the submaximal physiological adjustments cannot be reached as in DP due to increments in work rate faster than cardiorespiratory and metabolic adjustments (Riboli et al 2017 , 2021 ). Despite in some intermittent protocols with very low workload vs recovery ratio O 2max may not be reached (Vinetti et al 2017 ), previous studies using CP and DP showed that O 2max was found to be independent from the protocol adopted (Kuipers et al 2003 ; Riboli et al 2017 , 2021 ).…”

“…Conversely, incremental continuous protocols (CP) last short overall duration and they have been shown as a valid and reliable method to determine O 2max despite the submaximal physiological adjustments cannot be reached as in DP due to increments in work rate faster than cardiorespiratory and metabolic adjustments (Riboli et al 2017 , 2021 ). Despite in some intermittent protocols with very low workload vs recovery ratio O 2max may not be reached (Vinetti et al 2017 ), previous studies using CP and DP showed that O 2max was found to be independent from the protocol adopted (Kuipers et al 2003 ; Riboli et al 2017 , 2021 ). Conversely, testing protocols with shorter stage duration may lead to higher V max (Riboli et al 2017 ; Kuipers et al 2003 ; Adami et al 2013 ).…”

“…Conversely, testing protocols with shorter stage duration may lead to higher V max (Riboli et al 2017 ; Kuipers et al 2003 ; Adami et al 2013 ). Given that V max is currently utilized to prescribe or monitor training routines (Buchheit and Laursen 2013 ; Riboli et al 2021 ), a precise V max assessment may allow coaches to manipulate accurately the physiological load during running exercises as a percentage of V max (Buchheit and Laursen 2013 ; Riboli et al 2021 ). For instance, 90–110% of V max are suggested for long-interval exercises, 110–130% V max for short-intervals exercises, 130–160% V max for repeated sprint training and > 160% V max for sprint interval training (Buchheit and Laursen 2013 ).…”