Incremental and decremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing protocols produce similar maximum oxygen uptake in athletes.

The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the maximal oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]O) achieved during incremental and decremental protocols in highly trained athletes. Nineteen moderate trained runners and rowers completed, on separate days, (i) an initial incremental [Formula: see text]O test (INC) on a treadmill, followed by a verification phase (VER); (ii) a familiarization of a decremental test (DEC); (iii) a tailored DEC; (iv) a test with decremental and incremental phases (DEC-INC); (v) and a repeated incremental test (INC). During each test [Formula: see text]O, carbon dioxide production, ventilation, heart and breath rates and ratings of perceived exertion were measured.