PURPOSE: The severe exercise intensity domain may be defined as that range of work rates over which .VO(2max) can be elicited during constant-load exercise. The purpose of this study was to help characterize the .VO(2) response within this domain. METHODS: Eleven participants performed cycle ergometer exercise tests to fatigue at several discrete work rates between 95% and 135% of the maximum power (P(max)) achieved during an incremental exercise test. RESULTS: As previously demonstrated, the relationship between power and time to fatigue was hyperbolic. The asymptote of power (critical power, P(critical)) was 198 +/- 44 W. The rapidity of the .VO(2) response increased systematically at higher work rates such that the relationship between power and time to .VO(2max) was also well fit by a hyperbola. The power asymptote of this relationship (196 +/- 42 W) was not different from P(critical)(P > 0.05). The two hyperbolic relationships converged at 342 +/- 70 W (136% P(max)). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that, for this population of male and female university students, the upper boundary of the severe exercise intensity domain is approximately 136% P(max). This upper boundary is the highest work rate for which exercise duration is prolonged sufficiently (in this study, 136 +/- 17 s) to allow .VO(2) to rise to its maximal value. The lower boundary for severe exercise is just above P(critical), which is the highest work rate that is sustainable for a prolonged duration and that will not elicit .VO(2max).
PURPOSE: The severe exercise intensity domain may be defined as that range of work rates over which .VO(2max) can be elicited during constant-load exercise. The purpose of this study was to help characterize the .VO(2) response within this domain. METHODS: Eleven participants performed cycle ergometer exercise tests to fatigue at several discrete work rates between 95% and 135% of the maximum power (P(max)) achieved during an incremental exercise test. RESULTS: As previously demonstrated, the relationship between power and time to fatigue was hyperbolic. The asymptote of power (critical power, P(critical)) was 198 +/- 44 W. The rapidity of the .VO(2) response increased systematically at higher work rates such that the relationship between power and time to .VO(2max) was also well fit by a hyperbola. The power asymptote of this relationship (196 +/- 42 W) was not different from P(critical)(P > 0.05). The two hyperbolic relationships converged at 342 +/- 70 W (136% P(max)). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that, for this population of male and female university students, the upper boundary of the severe exercise intensity domain is approximately 136% P(max). This upper boundary is the highest work rate for which exercise duration is prolonged sufficiently (in this study, 136 +/- 17 s) to allow .VO(2) to rise to its maximal value. The lower boundary for severe exercise is just above P(critical), which is the highest work rate that is sustainable for a prolonged duration and that will not elicit .VO(2max).
Authors: David W Hill; Lindsay P Stephens; Sonja A Blumoff-Ross; David C Poole; Jimmy C Smith Journal: Eur J Appl Physiol Date: 2003-05-17 Impact factor: 3.078
Authors: Weerapong Chidnok; Fred J DiMenna; Jonathan Fulford; Stephen J Bailey; Philip F Skiba; Anni Vanhatalo; Andrew M Jones Journal: Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol Date: 2013-09-25 Impact factor: 3.619
Authors: Ana Sousa; Pedro Figueiredo; Kari L Keskinen; Ferran A Rodríguez; Leandro Machado; João P Vilas-Boas; Ricardo J Fernandes Journal: J Sports Sci Med Date: 2011-09-01 Impact factor: 2.988