Determination of the velocity associated with VO2max.

Purpose: The theoretical velocity associated with VO2max (vVO2max) defined by Daniels (1985) is extrapolated from the submaximal VO2-velocity relationship. VO2 is generally determined by assuming that the aerobic response reacts like a linear first-order system at the beginning of square-wave exercise with a steady-state reached by the 4th minute. However, at supra-ventilatory threshold work rates, the steady state in VO2 is delayed or not attained.

Influence of the oxygen uptake slow component on the aerobic energy cost of high-intensity submaximal treadmill running in humans.

During high-intensity running, the oxygen uptake (VO2) kinetics is characterised by a slow component which delays the attainment of the steady-state beyond the 3rd min of exercise. To assess if the aerobic energy cost of running measured at the 3rd min (C3) adequately reflects the variability of the true aerobic energy cost measured during the steady-state (Css), 13 highly-trained runners completed sessions of square-wave running at intensities above 80% maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) on a level treadmill. To evaluate the time at which the steady-state VO2 was attained (tss), the VO2 responses were described using a general double-exponential equation and tss was defined as the time at which VO2 was less than 1% below the asymptotic value given by the model.