Are Peak Oxygen Uptake and Power Output at Maximal Lactate Steady State Obtained from a 3-Min All-Out Cycle Test?

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine whether 1) the power output attained in the last 30 s of a 3-min all-out test (P (end)) correlates with the power output at maximal lactate steady state (P (MLSS)) and whether 2) peak oxygen uptake (VO (2peak)) can be obtained from a 3-min all-out test in well-trained cyclists. 18 cyclists (23±3 years; 186.1±6.9 cm; 79.1±8.2 kg; VO (2peak): 63.2±5.2 mL · kg (-1) · min (-1)) performed a ramp test, a 3-min all-out test and several submaximal constant 30 min-workload tests at +15, 0, -15, -30, -45, -60,-75, -90 W of P (end) to obtain P (MLSS). P (MLSS) was significantly lower compared to P (END) ( P<0.001; mean difference: 54±18 W) with a high correlation (r=0.93; R (2)=0.87; P<0.001) but great intra-individual variability (15-90 W). There were no mean differences between the ramp-VO (2peak) and 3-min all-out cycling VO (2peak) ( P=0.29; mean difference: 133±514 mL · min (-1)) showing significant correlation (r=0.60; R (2)=0.37; P=0.006) but great intra-individual variability (1 057-1 312 mL · min (-1)). We therefore suggest that in well-trained cyclists a 3-min all-out test is 1) not sufficient to obtain P (MLSS) and 2) should not be applied to assess VO (2peak).

The Reliability and Validity of a Four-Minute Running Time-Trial in Assessing V˙O2max and Performance

“…All-out cycling tests lasting between 90 and 180 s have been shown to elicit similar ${\dot{\text{V}}\text{O}}_2$max values to those attained during typical GXT protocols (Williams et al, 2005; Burnley et al, 2006; Rossiter et al, 2006; Sperlich et al, 2011; Chidnok et al, 2013). However, all-out tests are characterized by an immediate acceleration phase to peak power output followed closely by a reduction in power output as fatigue ensues (Abbiss and Laursen, 2008).…”

Test–retest reliability of a 3-min isokinetic all-out test using two different cadences

“…The mean power output of the last 30 s of the test, termed end-power (EP), and the amount of work done above EP (the WEP) have been considered as alternatives for CP and W estimation, respectively. 10 The 3MT was also shown to give a valid measure of peak oxygen uptake (V O 2 peak) as obtained from a traditional incremental test, 5,11 although a single study 12 has found a greater intra-individual variability for this physiological variable.…”

Methodological Approaches and Related Challenges Associated With the Determination of Critical Power and Curvature Constant

“…However, the PO associated with the MLSS was 24 W (11%)(42) to W (21%) (100) lower than EP. Moreover, the difference between EP and MLSS showed heteroscedasticity, as the difference between these two parameters increased in highly trained individuals(100). Indeed, the use of the 3MT has been criticised for elite cyclists as EP overestimated CP by ~50 W, and WEP underestimated W' by ~8.8 kJ (9), and the difference between actual performance and the estimated performance derived from the 3MT increases with Nonetheless, 3MT is able detect changes in CP following four weeks of…”