This study was designed to assess the ability of the Talk Test (TT) to track training-related changes in ventilatory threshold (VT). Thirteen recreational athletes (20.5±1.91 years, males=7) completed two incremental exercise tests (one with respiratory gas exchange and one with the TT) before and after six weeks of self-directed increases in training load. The TT was used to predict VT by assessing the ability to speak comfortably after three-minute exercise stages, based on speech comfort while reciting a 100-word passage. Training load was documented from exercise logs based on session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) and training duration. Repeated measures ANOVA, with the Tukey’s post-hoc analysis, was used to detect differences between the changes in power output (PO) at the equivocal stage of the Talk Test (EQ) and VT measured by gas exchange (p<.05). Significant mean differences were found between pre- vs. post-training PO and measured VT (116+32.4 vs. 134+32.4 Watts) (p<.05) but not at the EQ stage of the TT (125+40.8 vs. 135+29.8 Watts). The increase in PO at VT (+15.5%) was significantly underestimated by the change in PO at the EQ stage of the TT (+8.0%). The correlation between changes in PO at VT and PO at the EQ stage of the TT was r=0.66, p<.01. However, about 50% of participants did not change their PO at the EQ stage of the TT, so the individual correspondence between TT and measured VT was only moderately strong.

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