Determination of Submaximal and Maximal Training Zones From a 3-Stage, Variable-Duration, Perceptually Regulated Track Test.

Purpose: To validate a new perceptually regulated, self-paced maximal oxygen consumption field test (the Running Advisor Billat Training [RABIT] test) that can be used by recreational runners to define personalized training zones.

Design: In a cross-sectional study, male and female recreational runners (N = 12; mean [SD] age = 43 [8] y) completed 3 maximal exercise tests (2 RABIT tests and a University of Montreal Track Test), with a 48-hour interval between tests.

Methods: The University of Montreal Track Test was a continuous, incremental track test with a 0.5-km·h-1 increment every minute until exhaustion. The RABIT tests were conducted at intensities of 11, 14, and 17 on the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale for 10, 5, and 3 minutes, respectively, with a 1-minute rest between efforts.

Results: The 2 RABIT tests and the University of Montreal Track Test gave similar mean (SD) maximal oxygen consumption values (53.9 [6.4], 56.4 [9.1], and 55.4 [7.6] mL·kg-1·min-1, respectively, P = .722). The cardiorespiratory and speed responses were reliable as a function of the running intensity (RPE: 11, 14, and 17) and the relative time point for each RPE stage. Indeed, the oxygen consumption, heart rate, ventilation, and speed values did not differ significantly when the running time was expressed as a relative duration of 30%, 60%, or 90% (ie, at 3, 6, and 9 min of a 10-min effort at RPE 11; P = .997).

Conclusions: The results demonstrate that the RABIT test is a valid method for defining submaximal and maximal training zones in recreational runners.