Abstract

LEMOS, Thiago; NOGUEIRA, Fernando S  and  POMPEU, Fernando A.M.S. Influence of the ergometric protocol in the onset of different criteria for maximal effort. Rev Bras Med Esporte [online]. 2011, vol.17, n.1, pp. 18-21. ISSN 1517-8692.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1517-86922011000100003.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of different exercise protocols in the onset of maximal effort parameters. METHODS: Nine healthy individuals (23 ± 4 year old; 177 ± 10 cm; and 77.1 ± 16 kg) participated in three progressive exercise tests (PR1 - 15 W•min-1, PR2 - 50 W•3 min-1, and PR3 - 50 W•5 min-1) in a cycle ergometer. Oxygen consumption was measured in open circuit and was calculated at 20 s intervals. The maximal effort parameters considered here were: plateau in oxygen consumption < 150 mL•min-1; maximal heart rate > 95% predicted by age; blood lactate concentration (8.0 mM; and RER > 1.1. RESULTS: The VO2_max was not different among exercise tests (2.68 ± 1.0; 2.58 ± 1.0 and 2.99 ± 1.3 L•min-1 for PR1; PR2 and PR3, p = 0.72). The highest plateau occurrence was in PR1 (5 individuals). The heart rate criterion was observed in 3 individuals in PR3, while the lactate criterion was fulfilled in 6 subjects in the same PR3 protocol. Regarding the RER parameter, only 6 subjects in PR1 achieved values > 1.1. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the maximal effort parameters evaluated in this study are influenced by the exercise test, even when there are no differences in the VO2_max

Keywords : plateaus in oxygen consumption; VO2_max; effort test.