Reliability of maximal and submaximal parameters of treadmill testing for the measurement of physical training in older persons.

There is a learning effect on repeat treadmill testing. Therefore, measurements made before and after a training program could reflect the effect of repeat testing in addition to the effect of training. The goal of this study was to test the reliability of maximal and submaximal treadmill parameters as a measure of training in older persons. Nine subjects underwent two identical tests before training (learning effect) and a third after a 12-week training program. VO2 max increased 9.0% with training, but was unchanged before training. Maximal duration increased 6.7% before training and a further 6.3% after training. Submaximal heart rate (HR) decreased 3.8% before training and an additional 5.3% with training. We conclude that VO2 max is a reliable measure of change in physical training in older persons. Maximal duration and submaximal HR are subject to a learning effect and cannot be relied upon to document a training effect.