The present study compared the time maintained above 90% (t90VO2max) or 95% VO2max (t95VO2max) in three different exercise intensities. After performing an incremental test to determine VO2max, eight physical education active students (23 ± 3 years) performed three intermittent exercise sessions (100, 110 e 120% velocity of VO2max (vVO2max)) with ratio effort:recovery of 30s:15s. The t95%VO2max was significantly higher at 110%vVO2max (EI110%) (218.1 ± 81.6s) compared to 100% vVO2max (EI100%) (91.9 ± 75.2s) and 120%vVO2max (EI120%) (126.3 ± 29.4s), but without differences between EI100% and EI120%. The t90%vVO2max was significantly different only between EI110% and 120%. Therefore, we conclude that during intermittent exercise with ratio 30s:15s, the intensity of 110%vVO2max appears more appropriate to maintain VO2max for a longer time.
Athletic performance; Time to exhaustion; Energy metabolism