\( \dot{V}_{{{\text{O}}_{2} { \max }}} \) is not altered by self-pacing during incremental exercise

We tested the hypothesis that incremental cycling to exhaustion that is paced using clamps of the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) elicits higher \( \dot{V}_{{{\text{O}}_{2} { \max }}} \) values compared to a conventional ramp incremental protocol when test duration is matched. Seven males completed three incremental tests to exhaustion to measure \( \dot{V}_{{{\text{O}}_{2} { \max }}} \). The incremental protocols were of similar duration and included: a ramp test at 30 W min⁻¹ with constant cadence (RAMP1); a ramp test at 30 W min⁻¹ with cadence free to fluctuate according to subject preference (RAMP2); and a self-paced incremental test in which the power output was selected by the subject according to prescribed increments in RPE (SPT). The subjects also completed a \( \dot{V}_{{{\text{O}}_{2} { \max }}} \) ‘verification’ test at a fixed high-intensity power output and a 3-min all-out test. No difference was found for \( \dot{V}_{{{\text{O}}_{2} { \max }}} \) between the incremental protocols (RAMP1 = 4.33 ± 0.60 L min⁻¹; RAMP2 = 4.31 ± 0.62 L min⁻¹; SPT = 4.36 ± 0.59 L min⁻¹; P > 0.05) nor between the incremental protocols and the peak \( \dot{V}_{{{\text{O}}_{2} }} \) measured during the 3-min all-out test (4.33 ± 0.68 L min⁻¹) or the \( \dot{V}_{{{\text{O}}_{2} { \max }}} \) measured in the verification test (4.32 ± 0.69 L min⁻¹). The integrated electromyogram, blood lactate concentration, heart rate and minute ventilation at exhaustion were not different (P > 0.05) between the incremental protocols. In conclusion, when test duration is matched, SPT does not elicit a higher \( \dot{V}_{{{\text{O}}_{2} { \max }}} \) compared to conventional incremental protocols. The striking similarity of \( \dot{V}_{{{\text{O}}_{2} { \max }}} \) measured across an array of exercise protocols indicates that there are physiological limits to the attainment of \( \dot{V}_{{{\text{O}}_{2} { \max }}} \) that cannot be exceeded by self-pacing.