Responses to exercise at 92% and 100% of the velocity associated with VO(2)max

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rationale for using the velocity associated with VO(2)max (vVO(2)max) and the time that vVO(2)max can be sustained (t(MAX)) in exercise prescription. Six male runners performed a 0%-slope incremental treadmill test to determine their VO(2)max (61.6 +/- 9.1 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1)) and the velocity at which it was elicited (vVO(2)max; 271 +/- 18 m x min(-1)). Then, they performed exhaustive tests at vVO(2)max and at 92% of vO(2)max. VO(2)max in these tests (4.56 +/- 0.55 and 4.57 +/- 0.50 l x min(-1)) were not different from the incremental Value (4.31 +/- 0.83 l x min(-1)). At vVO(2)max, VO(2)max was attained after 299 +/- 74s and sustained for 32 +/- 41 s. At 92% of vVO(2)max, it took longer to attain VO(2)max (491 +/- 156 s), but it was sustained longer (130 +/- 66 s). Since no athlete reached VO(2)max in the first 60% of the runs, the results did not provide a rationale to support the recommendation that athletes train at vVO(2)max for a fixed percentage of t(MAX) when the goal in the training session is to maintain VO(2)max.