THE RELATION BETWEEN POWER OUTPUT, OXYGEN-UPTAKE AND HEART-RATE IN MALE-ATHLETES

As the exercise intensity is often expressed as percentage of either maximal workload (%Wmax), percentage of maximal heart rate (%HRmax), or as percentage of maximal oxygen uptake, the relationship between %Wmax, %VO(2)max, and %HRmax was determined in 53 male cyclists. All subjects performed an incremental maximal cycle ergometer test, In all athletes examined, a linear relation between power output, oxygen uptake and heart rate was observed. The relationships between %Wmax and %VO(2)max as well as between %Wmax and %HRmax were linear (r = 0.98 and r = 0.97; p<0.001). It is concluded that studies which are different in expression of exercise intensity (%Wmax or %VO(2)max) can be compared and that the relation between %Wmax and %HRmax needs to be determined individually when an appropriate individualized training intensity based on heart rate is required.