Specificity effects of run versus cycle training on ventilatory threshold

Summary

This study compared the effects of 9 weeks of run (RT) versus cycle (CT) training on ventilatory threshold (Th_v) determined during treadmill (TM) and cycle ergometer (CE) graded exercise testing. Sixteen college age men were assigned to a RT or CT group and performed a TM and a CE test before and after training. Both training groups performed similar training protocols which initially consisted of continuous exercise 4 days·week⁻¹ at 75–80% maximum heart rate (fc,_max) for 45 min. Training intensity was later increased to 80–85% fc _max and interval training (90–95% fc,_max) was incorporated 2 days·week⁻¹ into the continuous training. Both groups showed significantly improved maximal oxygen consumption ($\dot V$O_2max) on both TM and CE tests (P<0.01) with no significant differences between the groups. Significant Th_v increases (P<0.05) were found on TM tests for RT (n=8) and CT (n=8) groups [mean (SD); 443 (438) and 373 (568) ml O₂·min⁻¹, respectively] with no difference between the groups. Results from the CE tests revealed a significant Th_v increase (P<0.01) for the CT group [566 (663) ml O₂·min⁻¹] with no change for the RT group. The Th_v improvement noted for the RT group was significantly different (P< 0.05) comparing CE with TM tests but not for the CT group. The results indicate that CT and RT improvement in Th_v for runners is dependent upon mode of training and testing, and there is an apparent dissociation of $\dot V$O_2maxand Th_v specific to training.