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

Abstract

Purpose Continuous incremental protocols (CP) may misestimate the maximum aerobic velocity (Vmax) due to increases in running speed faster than cardiorespiratory/metabolic adjustments. A higher aerobic capacity may mitigate this issue due to faster pulmonary oxygen uptake ($$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2) kinetics. Therefore, this study aimed to compare three different protocols to assess Vmax in athletes with higher or lower training status. Methods Sixteen well-trained runners were classified according to higher (HI) or lower (LO) $$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2max$$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2-kinetics was calculated across four 5-min running bouts at 10 km·h−1. Two CPs [1 km·h−1 per min (CP1) and 1 km·h−1 every 2-min (CP2)] were performed to determine Vmax$$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2max, lactate-threshold and submaximal $$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2/velocity relationship. Results were compared to the discontinuous incremental protocol (DP). Results Vmax, $$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2max, $$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ CO2 and VE were higher [(P < 0.05,(ES:0.22/2.59)] in HI than in LO. $$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2-kinetics was faster [P < 0.05,(ES:-2.74/ − 1.76)] in HI than in LO. $$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2/velocity slope was lower in HI than in LO [(P < 0.05,(ES:-1.63/ − 0.18)]. Vmax and $$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2/velocity slope were CP1 > CP2 = DP for HI and CP1 > CP2 > DP for LO. A lower [P < 0.05,(ES:0.53/0.75)] Vmax-difference for both CP1 and CP2 vs DP was found in HI than in LO. Vmax-differences in CP1 vs DP showed a large inverse correlation with Vmax, $$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2max and lactate-threshold and a very large correlation with $$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2-kinetics. Conclusions Higher aerobic training status witnessed by faster $$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2 kinetics led to lower between-protocol Vmax differences, particularly between CP2 vs DP. Faster kinetics may minimize the mismatch issues between metabolic and mechanical power that may occur in CP. This should be considered for exercise prescription at different percentages of Vmax.

Top-class women’s soccer performance: peak demands and distribution of the match activities relative to maximal intensities during official matches

“…For example, locomotor load > 90-min avg or 1-min peak for a given player could be lower than her VHSR, sprint, acceleration or deceleration maximal capacity. iv) Despite the current results open to the opportunity to contextualize the maximal match-play locomotor demands in women’s soccer, the locomotor load > 90-min avg or 1-min peak did not take into account the cardiorespiratory and metabolic individual capacity [ 23 ] and it could lead to lower the training stimuli; coupling locomotor and physiological demands during training routine is suggested for appropriate player’s conditioning [ 6 , 11 ]. Therefore, soccer-specific exercises (e.g., small- or large-side games) [ 6 ], position-specific drills [ 35 ] and/or individualized running based exercises [ 36 ] with the aims to recreate or overload locomotor load from > 90-min avg to 1-min peak should be coupled with soccer-specific, positional-specific or individual running-based exercises near to the maximal individual aerobic [ 37 ], anaerobic [ 38 ] and neuromuscular [ 39 ] capacity for maximizing the performance development in top-class women soccer players.…”

“…Therefore, the current study aims to determine for the first time the 1-min peak , the MDP across different time windows and the distribution of match activities relative to the maximum intensities in top-class women soccer players. Additionally, it aims to determine the match-to-match variability in 1-min peak vs 90-min avg during official matches [ 23 ]. Lastly, the time spent and the distance covered at different percentages relative to the maximal match-play demands were calculated.…”

External and Internal Loads in Sports Science: Time to Rethink?

“…Therefore, in this case, the use of the term "work" can lead to confusion and is not appropriate. In many articles, it is common to encounter statements like: "The first two workloads were set at 8 and 10 km•h -1 " (34). However, it should be noted that km•h -1 is a unit of speed.…”

The Misuse of “Workload” in Sports Science and Possible Solutions

“…Frequently, in articles published in peer-reviewed literature, it is common to read in the methods section the following statements: “The first workload of the cycling protocol was 170 W” (2), or: “The first two workloads were set at 8 and 10 km·h −1 ” (18). Nevertheless, watts and km·h −1 are not units of workload , but power and speed, respectively.…”