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Effects of step duration in incremental ramp protocols on peak power and maximal oxygen consumption

Adami, Alessandra ; Sivieri, Andrea ; Moia, Christian ; Perini, Renza ; Ferretti, Guido

In: European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2013, vol. 113, no. 10, p. 2647-2653

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    Title
    • Effects of step duration in incremental ramp protocols on peak power and maximal oxygen consumption
    Author
    • Adami, Alessandra. Département de Neuroscience Fondamentales, Centre Médical Universitaire, Université de Genève, 1 Rue Michel Servet, 1211, Genève 4, Switzerland
    • Sivieri, Andrea. Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche E Sperimentali, Università di Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy
    • Moia, Christian. Département de Neuroscience Fondamentales, Centre Médical Universitaire, Université de Genève, 1 Rue Michel Servet, 1211, Genève 4, Switzerland
    • Perini, Renza. Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche E Sperimentali, Università di Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy
    • Ferretti, Guido. Département de Neuroscience Fondamentales, Centre Médical Universitaire, Université de Genève, 1 Rue Michel Servet, 1211, Genève 4, Switzerland
    Document Type
    • Postprint
    Language
    • English
    Published in
    • European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2013, vol. 113, no. 10, p. 2647-2653. Springer Berlin Heidelberg
    Other Version
    OAI-PMH Identifier
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:316378
    Summary
    Purpose: Morton (J Sport Sci 29:307-309, 2011) proposed a model of the peak power attained in ramp protocol ( $$\dot{w}_{\text{peak}}$$ w · peak ) that included critical power (CP) and anaerobic capacity as constants, and mean ramp slope (S) as variable. Our hypothesis is that $$\dot{w}_{\text{peak}}$$ w · peak depends only on S, so that Morton's model should be applicable in all types of ramps. The aim of this study was to test this hypothesis by validating Morton's model using stepwise ramp tests with invariant step increment and increasing step duration. Methods: Sixteen men performed six ramp tests with 25W increments. Step duration was: 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180s. Maximal oxygen consumption ( $$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{{ 2 {\text{max}}}}$$ V · O 2 max ) and $$\dot{w}_{\text{peak}}$$ w · peak were identified as the highest values reached during each test. An Åstrand-type test was also performed. We measured oxygen consumption and ventilatory variables, together with lactate and heart rate. Results: $$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2\hbox{max} }$$ V · O 2 max was the same in all tests; $$\dot{w}_{\text{peak}}$$ w · peak was significantly lower the longer the step duration, and all values differed from the maximal power of the Åstrand-type test ( $$\dot{w}_{\hbox{max} }$$ w · max ). Morton's model yielded an excellent fitting, with mean CP equal to 198.08±37.46W and anaerobic capacity equal to 16.82±5.69kJ. Conclusions: Morton's model is a good descriptor of the mechanics of ramp tests. Further developments of Morton's model demonstrated that, whereas $$\dot{w}_{\text{peak}}$$ w · peak is a protocol-dependent variable, the difference between $$\dot{w}_{\hbox{max} }$$ w · max and CP is a constant, so that their values do not depend on the protocol applied