Abstract
This study aimed to determine the effects of using the mask to gas analysis on maximal and submaximal physiological and perceptual variables during an incremental test. We assessed 21 recreationally endurance trained runners (VO2max: 54.0 ± 7.6 mL·kg-1·min-1) aged 30 to 49 years. These runners were submitted to two different incremental tests in randomized order to determination of maximum aerobic velocity (MAV), being used in one of them the equipment to gas analysis and not in the other. Peak velocity (Vpeak) was determined based on KUIPERS et al.1717. Kuipers H, Verstappen FT, Keizer HA, Geurten P, van Kranenburg G. Variability of aerobic performance in the laboratory and its physiological correlates. Int J Sports Med. 1985;6:197-201. adjustment. It was also analyzed physiological (HR and %HRmax) and perceptual (RPE) variables in each stage to comparison between protocols. Runners did a 10 and 15 km performance in field track to verify the relationship with maximal aerobic speed obtained in both protocols. The use of the mask for gas analysis reduced Vpeak, but did not modify HRmax and RPEmax. In regard to submaximal variables, HR was influenced mainly in initial stages in which values were higher in the test which the mask was used. However, when expressed as %HRmax, runners remained in the majority of submaximal stages in higher percentages during the protocol with mask. For RPE, there was no significant difference, except in the stage of 10 km·h-1, which RPE was higher when the mask was used. MAV is reduced when mask is used to gas analysis and HR and %HRmax in submaximal stages are higher due to the use of this equipment especially in initial stages.
Key Words:
Running; Oxygen consumption; Exercise test
