Frequency of the V·O_2max Plateau Phenomenon in World-Class Cyclists

Abstract

We aimed to determine the frequency of the VO2max plateau phenomenon in top-level male professional road cyclists (n = 38; VO2max [mean +/- SD]: 73.5 +/- 5.5 ml.kg(-1).min(-1)) and in healthy, sedentary male controls (n = 37; VO2max: 42.7 +/- 5.6 ml.kg(-1).min(-1)). All subjects performed a continuous incremental cycle-ergometer test of 1-min workloads until exhaustion. Power output was increased from a starting value of 25 W (cyclists) or 20 W (controls) at the rate of 25 W.min(-1) (cyclists) or 20 W.min(-1) (controls) until volitional exhaustion. We measured gas-exchange and heart rate (HR) throughout the test. Blood concentrations of lactate (BLa) were measured at end-exercise in both groups. We defined maximal exercise exertion as the attainment of a respiratory exchange rate (RER) >or= 1.1; HR > 95 % age-predicted maximum; and BLa > 8 mmo.l(-1). The VO2max plateau phenomenon was defined as an increase in two or more consecutive 1-min mean VO2 values of less than 1.5 ml.kg(-1).min(-1). Most cyclists met our criteria for maximal exercise effort (RER > 1.1, 100 %; 95 % predicted maximal HR [HRmax], 82 %; BLa > 8 mmol.l(-1), 84 %). However, the proportion of cyclists attaining a V.O (2max) plateau was considerably lower, i.e., 47 %. The majority of controls met the criteria for maximal exercise effort (RER > 1.1, 100 %; predicted HRmax, 68 %; BLa > 8 mmol. l(-1), 73 %), but the proportion of these subjects with a VO2max plateau was only 24 % (significantly lower proportion than in cyclists [p < 0.05]). Scientists should consider 1) if typical criteria of attainment of maximal effort are sufficiently stringent, especially in elite endurance athletes; and 2) whether those humans exhibiting the VO2max plateau phenomenon are those who perform an absolute maximum effort or there are additional distinctive features associated with this phenomenon.

Reproducibility of Maximum Aerobic Power (Vo2max) Among Soccer Players Using a Modified Heck Protocol

“…[37][38][39] In the present study, the test was considered to have reached the maximum when the soccer players attained 2 of the following validation criteria: 1) maximum respiration exchange ratio (RER) ≥ 1.10; 2) Borg´s scale of subjective perception of tiredness ≥ 18 and 3) maximum heart rate ≥ 95% of the maximum chronotropic response predicted for the age. 8,[40][41][42] The criterion used for ascertaining VO 2max was an increase in VO 2 less than 2.0 mLkg -1.…”

O platô do VO2max não está associado à capacidade anaeróbia em indivíduos fisicamente ativos

“…It has been suggested that the plateau incidence is associated with the individual capacity to support high levels of fatigue and its resistance to pain 16 . However, highly trained athletes, which are familiarized with high levels of e ort and pain sensation during training session and/or competitions, did not show higher incidence of plateau 21,25 , strengthening the idea of other intervening variables. P et al 17 have suggested that the incapacity to reach plateau in incremental test is due to the incapacity to support the high power levels demanded during the test nal stages.…”

“…Studies in highly trained athletes showed similar or even lower percentage of plateau incidence as in the present study. Lucia et al 25 reported a plateau incidence of 47% in elite professional cyclists, whereas D 21 showed a plateau incidence of 25% and 39% for men and women, respectively in Olympic athletes runners of medium and long distance. In the present study, ve out of nine subjects presented plateau.…”

“…However, not all subjects are capable to achieve plateaus state. Previous studies demonstrated a high heterogeneity of plateau incidence between 12 to 59% 1,18,[23][24][25][26] . Studies in highly trained athletes showed similar or even lower percentage of plateau incidence as in the present study.…”

Physiological variables and mitochondrial-related genotypes of an athlete who excels in both short and long-distance running

“…He exercised to exhaustion and stopped when he reached maximal effort and fatigue as evidenced by perceived exertion . His VO 2 max (which corresponded to a speed of 20.3 km/h) was 80.4 ml·kg -1 ·min -1 , while criteria of maximal effort attainment were met (maximal value of HR of 187 beats/min, blood lactate concentration at end-exercise of 11 mmol/L, and respiratory exchange ratio > 1.1) (Lucia et al 2006). The running speed eliciting the LT was 19 km/h.…”