Changing the Number of Submaximal Exercise Bouts Effects Calculation of MAOD

The aim of this present study was to evaluate the effect of the number of submaximal exercise bouts used to construct the power-VO₂ regression, on calculations of MAOD through the sequential and systematic removal of the highest and lowest submaximal VO₂ values from the standard ten point regression line. Eight trained male cyclists participated in thiss study. The mean (±SD) age, height, weight and VO₂max for the subjects were 25±7yr, 178.2±3.0 cm, 69.9±4.9 kg and 57.5±6.9ml·kg^-1·min^-1. After VO₂max testing each subject undertook ten submaximal exercise bouts at between 30 % and 90 % VO₂max and one supramaximal bout calculated to elicit 100 % VO₂max . Expired gases were measured via open circiuit spirometry. The mean power output of the supramaximal bout was 336.5±442.5 W and the mean duration was 269.4±42.9 s. The correlation coefficients ranged from 0.981 to 0.996 while the MAOD values ranged from 29.6±15.7 ml O₂ eq·kg^-1 to 61.3±44.7 ml O₂ eq·kg^-1. When compared to the standard ten points, as a percentage difference, this difference ranged from 4.1±3.6 % to 83.7±54.9 %. The main finding of this study is that inaccuracies occur in the measurement of MAOD when less than ten points are used in the calculation. Further study is required for the development of a standardised protocol for the accurate, valid and reliable measurement of MAOD.

Key words

Cycling ergometry - oxygen uptake - limear regression - supramaximal.