Anaerobic Capacityestimated in A Single Supramaximal Test in Cycling: Validity and Reliability Analysis

Abstract

The aim was to verify the validity (i.e., study A) and reliability (i.e., study B) of the alternative maximal accumulated oxygen deficit determined using onlya supramaximal effort (MAODALT)to estimate anaerobic capacity [i.e., estimated by the gold standard maximal accumulated oxygen deficit method (MAOD)] during cycling. In study A, the effects of supramaximal intensities on MAODALT and the comparison with the MAOD were investigated in fourteen active subjects (26 ± 6 years). In study B, the test-retest reliability was investigated, where fourteen male amateur cyclists (29 ± 5 years) performed the MAODALT twice at 115% of the intensity associated to maximal oxygen uptake (). MAODALT determined at 130 and 150% of was lower than MAOD (p ≤ 0.048), but no differences between MAODALT determined at 100, 105, 110, 115, 120 and 140% of (3.58 ± 0.53L; 3.58 ± 0.59L; 3.53 ± 0.52L; 3.48 ± 0.72L; 3.52 ± 0.61L and 3.46 ± 0.69L, respectively) with MAOD (3.99 ± 0.64L). The MAODALT determined from the intensities between 110 and 120% of presented the better agreement and concordance with MAOD. In the test-retest, the MAODALT was not different (p > 0.05), showed high reproducibility when expressed in absolute values (ICC = 0.96, p < 0.01), and a good level of agreement in the Bland-Altman plot analysis (mean differences ± CI95%:−0.16 ± 0.53L). Thus, the MAODALT seems to be valid and reliable to assess anaerobic capacity in cycling.

Differences between genders in anaerobic capacity during a supramaximal effort

“…The gas analyzer was calibrated before each test following the manufacturer's instructions. Raw data obtained were smoothed every 5 points and interpolated to each second using the software OriginPro 2017 (OriginLab Corporation, Microcal, Massachusetts, USA) 13,14 .…”

“…The GXT was designed to last 8-12 minutes, following the Howley, Bassett, Welch 17 guidelines to assess the V ֽ O2max and iV ֽ O2max. Thus, the GXT started at 8 km•h -1 for men and 6.5 km•h -1 for women, with 1.5 km•h -1 increments every two minutes until voluntary exhaustion, respectively 13,14 . Voluntary exhaustion was characterized by the subject giving up or the inability to perform the effort.…”

“…Thus the AC[La -]+EPOCfast was considered as the sum of e[La -] and ePCr [12][13][14] . In addition, the oxidative pathway was also calculated assumed as the area under the curve only during the supramaximal efforts, disregarding the baseline V ֽ O2 × tlim 22,24 .…”

“…Some studies [12][13][14] have proposed a new method to estimate anaerobic capacity through the energetic equivalents of glycolytic (e[La -]) and phosphagen (ePCr) pathways, obtained by the oxygen equivalent of the net of blood lactate and the fast component of excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOCfast), respectively. Thus, the sum of e[La -] and ePCr is assumed as anaerobic capacity (AC[La -]+EPOCfast).…”

“…Thus, the sum of e[La -] and ePCr is assumed as anaerobic capacity (AC[La -]+EPOCfast). This method presents some advantages when compared to MAOD, since AC[La -]+EPOCfast can estimate the e[La -] and ePCr separately, is more time-efficient, and presents good reliability 13,14 .…”