A comparison of time to exhaustion at [vdot]O2;max in elite cyclists, kayak paddlers, swimmers and runners

Abstract

A recent study has shown the reproducibility of time to exhaustion (time limit: ttime) at the lowest velocity that elicits the maximal oxygen consumption (υ[vdot]O₂ max). The same study found an inverse relationship between this time to exhaustion at υ[vdot]O₂ max and υ[vdot]O₂ max among 38 élite long-distance runners (Billat et al. 1994b). The purpose of the present study was to compare the time to exhaustion at the power output (or velocity) at [vdot]O₂ max for different values of [vdot]O₂ max, depending on the type of exercise and not only on the aerobic capacity. The time of exhaustion at υ[vdot]O₂ max (tlim) has been measured among 41 élite (national level) sportsmen: 9 cyclists, 9 kayak paddlers, 9 swimmers and 14 runners using specific ergometers. Velocity or power at [vdot]O₂ max ( υ[vdot]O₂ max) was determined by continuous incremental testing. This protocol had steps of 2 min and increments of 50 W, 30 W, 0.05ms⁻ and 2km⁻ for cyclists, kayak paddlers, swimmers and runners, respectively. One week later, dim was determined under the same conditions. After a warm-up of 10 min at 60% of their υ[vdot]O₂ max, subjects were concluded (in less than 45 s) to their υ[vdot]O₂ max and then had to sustain it as long as possible until exhaustion. Mean values of υ[vdot]O₂ max and dim were respectively equal to 419±49 W (tlim = 222 ± 91 s), 239±56W ( tlim = 376 ± 134 s), l 46±009ms⁻¹ ( tlim = 287± 160s) and 22.4 ±0.8kmh⁻¹ ( tlim = 321 ±84s), for cyclists, kayak paddlers, swimmers and runners. Time to exhaustion at υ[vdot]O₂ max was only significantly different between cycling and kayaking (ANOVA test, p2max (expressed in ml min⁻¹ kg⁻¹) was significantly different between all sports except between cycling and running (p < 0.05). In this study, time to exhaustion at υ[vdot]O₂ max was also inversely related to υ[vdot]O₂ max for die entire group of elite sportsmen (r= −0.320, p2 max and dim at υ[vdot]O₂ max has to be explained, it seems that dim depends on υ[vdot]O₂ max regardless of the type of exercise undertaken.