Achievement of VO2max Criteria in Adolescent Runners: Effects of Testing Protocol (original) (raw)

1994, Pediatric Exercise Science

This study examined. the effects of three testing protocols on the frequency of achievement of V02max criteria in 13 male adolescent long-distance runners. All subjects completed the modified Taylor (T), Bruce (B), and Taylor intermitten! (TI) running protocols on a treadmill to volitional fatigue. The criteria for V02max were (a) respiratory exchange ratio (R) 1.0, (b) heart rate (HR) 2 95% predicted max, and (c) increase in V02 5 2.1 ml.kg-'.min-l with an increase in workload. A plateau was identified in 54%, 39%, and 85% of the subjects during the T, B, and TI protocols, respectively (p < .05). V02 at exhaustion was similar during all protocols (T = 70.8 f 4.1, B = 71.4 If: 3.5, TI = 69.6 If: 5.0 ml.kg-'.mid; p > .05). The data suggest that the characteristics of a protocol can determine the frequency of a plateau achievement but have no effect on the attainment of the R or HR criteria. V02 during running exercise to volitional fatigue is independent of testing protocol. Evaluating the effects of aerobic training programs on the cardiorespiratory capacity of adolescents requires the identification of precise initial and.follow-up maximal oxygen consumption (V02max) values. The measurement of V02max entails a progressive exercise test to volitional fatigue. Established criteria are used to determine if a subject has achieved a true maximal effort (3). A plateau in \jo2 has been identified as the most objective criterion for establishing a valid ~ 0 , m a x value in adults, children, and adolescents (22). Other valid indicators of the limits of the cardiorespiratory system commonly utilized (2, 14, 15, 20) as criteria for V02max in adolescents are a respiratory exchange ratio (R) 2 1.0 and a heart rate (HR) 2 95% of the predicted maximal or a leveling off at peak exercise. Although the R and HR criteria .xe used in conjunction with the plateau criterion, most investigations establish a V02max value based solely on the latter. If a plateau is not observed, the highest VO, value is considered V02 peak and not V02max. A low rate of achievement of the plateau criterion has been reported in adolescent.untrained and active subjects (1, 2, 6, 7, 15, 16, 20). It is possible that a true VOlmax value is not easily identified in children or adolescents because