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VO2max during successive maximal efforts

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Abstract

The concept of VO2max has been a defining paradigm in exercise physiology for >75 years. Within the last decade, this concept has been both challenged and defended. The purpose of this study was to test the concept of VO2max by comparing VO2 during a second exercise bout following a preliminary maximal effort exercise bout. The study had two parts. In Study #1, physically active non-athletes performed incremental cycle exercise. After 1-min recovery, a second bout was performed at a higher power output. In Study #2, competitive runners performed incremental treadmill exercise and, after 3-min recovery, a second bout at a higher speed. In Study #1 the highest VO2 (bout 1 vs. bout 2) was not significantly different (3.95 ± 0.75 vs. 4.06 ± 0.75 l min−1). Maximal heart rate was not different (179 ± 14 vs. 180 ± 13 bpm) although maximal V E was higher in the second bout (141 ± 36 vs. 151 ± 34 l min−1). In Study #2 the highest VO2 (bout 1 vs. bout 2) was not significantly different (4.09 ± 0.97 vs. 4.03 ± 1.16 l min−1), nor was maximal heart rate (184 + 6 vs. 181 ± 10 bpm) or maximal V E (126 ± 29 vs. 126 ± 34 l min−1). The results support the concept that the highest VO2 during a maximal incremental exercise bout is unlikely to change during a subsequent exercise bout, despite higher muscular power output. As such, the results support the “classical” view of VO2max.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, WI, 54601, USA

    Carl Foster, Erin Kuffel, Nicole Bradley, Rebecca A. Battista, Glenn Wright, John P. Porcari & Jos J. deKoning

  2. European University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    Alejandro Lucia

  3. Vrije Universitet Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Jos J. deKoning

Authors
  1. Carl Foster
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  2. Erin Kuffel
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  3. Nicole Bradley
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  4. Rebecca A. Battista
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  5. Glenn Wright
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  6. John P. Porcari
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  7. Alejandro Lucia
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  8. Jos J. deKoning
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Correspondence to Carl Foster.

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Foster, C., Kuffel, E., Bradley, N. et al. VO2max during successive maximal efforts. Eur J Appl Physiol 102, 67–72 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-007-0565-x

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