The Maximal Accumulated Oxygen Deficit Method

Abstract

The maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD) method has been extensively, but unfortunately not very methodically, used; the procedure used to determine the MAOD varies considerably. Therefore, this review evaluates the effect of different numbers and durations of submaximal exercise bouts on the linear power output (PO)-oxygen uptake ((.)VO2) relationship and thus the MAOD. Changing the number and duration of the submaximal exercise bouts substantially influences the calculated MAOD when relatively long submaximal exercise bouts are used and no fixed value of the y-intercept is forced into the linear regression line. This is most likely due to non-linearity of the PO-(.)VO2 relationship for exercise intensities above the lactate threshold (LT). Non-linearity of the PO-(.)VO2 relationship is probably caused by the development of a slow component in (.)VO2 during submaximal exercise at intensities above the LT. Thus, it is important to standardize the number, duration and intensity of submaximal exercise bouts necessary to establish the PO-(.)VO2 relationship. Beyond changing the number and duration of the submaximal exercise bouts, the effect of different supramaximal exercise bouts on the calculated MAOD has been investigated. While it has become clear that different exercise protocols result in relatively similar values of the MAOD, a closer look at individual data suggests that it may be important to choose an exercise protocol that is representative of the athlete's event. The validity of the MAOD method was studied by different authors comparing the MAOD with metabolic measurements of anaerobic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. The main limitation with the metabolic measurements of anaerobic ATP production from muscle biopsy data is that the active muscle mass is unknown, which makes it hard to accurately study the validity of the MAOD method. From the studies that evaluated the reliability of the MAOD method it is clear that the MAOD method may not be a reliable measure of anaerobic capacity. From these findings it can be concluded that the MAOD method may have limitations as a valid and reliable measure of anaerobic capacity and needs to be further improved. We suggest the use of 10 x 4 minute submaximal exercise bouts and a fixed value of the y-intercept for the construction of the linear PO-(.)VO2 relationship, after which the MAOD can be determined during a supramaximal exercise protocol specific for the athlete's event. This method will lead to a more robust PO-(.)VO2 relationship and will therefore result in more valid and reliable results.

Effect of caffeine ingestion on anaerobic capacity quantified by different methods

“…The reason for this is not fully clear, but may be related to the fact that the MAOD ALT does not need an estimate of supramaximal oxygen demand compared to traditional MAOD. In fact, the supramaximal oxygen demand, and consequently MAOD, can be substantially influenced by the number, intensity, and duration of the submaximal exercise bouts [4]. In addition, an important advantage of the MAOD ALT is that it provides a separate estimate of alactic and lactic components of the AC.…”

“…The AC is an important parameter for measuring athletic performance during short-distance sports such as 500–4,000 m cycling time trials [6]. While there is no “gold-standard” method to estimate AC, it has been consensually assessed by the maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD) [4]. The MAOD is calculated by the difference between the accumulated oxygen uptake during an exhaustive supramaximal test, and the corresponding predicted oxygen demand estimated from several submaximal exercise bouts [1, 3].…”

“…The use of submaximal exercise bouts above GET increases the slope of the VO 2 -power output curve in both untrained (~ 6%) and trained (~ 14%) men [21]. As some of the submaximal bouts used to estimate the supramaximal demand of MAOD develop a slow component of VO 2 , any effect of caffeine on the reduction of the slow component of VO 2 would reduce the slope of the VO 2 -power output curve and ultimately the estimated oxygen demand [4]. Thus, a possible effect of caffeine on the submaximal VO 2 response affecting the supramaximal oxygen demand should be taken into account.…”

Comparison of Power Output Estimates in Treadmill Roller-Skiing

“…However, it has been shown that anaerobic processes contribute substantially [7,8] during sprint races (3-4 min) and may be highly important for performance on variable terrain [7]. Nevertheless, indirect assessments of the anaerobic energetic component during whole-body exercise is associated with some difficulties [9]. The anaerobic energetic component during supramaximal roller-skiing can be estimated in several different ways [7,8], either by using the maximal accumulated oxygen deficit method [9] or a method based on gross efficiency [7].…”

“…Nevertheless, indirect assessments of the anaerobic energetic component during whole-body exercise is associated with some difficulties [9]. The anaerobic energetic component during supramaximal roller-skiing can be estimated in several different ways [7,8], either by using the maximal accumulated oxygen deficit method [9] or a method based on gross efficiency [7]. A main problem with all previous methods employed for roller-skiing is that they have excluded the influence of instantaneous changes in inertia on the power output estimates during self-paced, timetrial roller-skiing [7,8].…”