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Int J Sports Med 2004; 25(2): 85-91
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-819943
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Evaluation of Fitness Level by the Oxygen Uptake Efficiency Slope After a Short-Term Intermittent Endurance Training

L.  Mourot1, 2 , S.  Perrey3 , N.  Tordi2 , J.  D.  Rouillon2
  • 1Laboratoire de Physiologie-Médecine, Besançon, France
  • 2Laboratoire des sciences du sport, Besançon, France
  • 3UPRES-EA 2991, Faculté des Sciences du Sport, Montpellier, France
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: March 30, 2003

Publication Date:
26 February 2004 (online)

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Abstract

Several indicators are used as indices of cardiorespiratory reserve. Among them, oxygen uptake (V·O2) at peak and ventilatory threshold (VAT) levels are the most common used. In the present study, endurance training was used to evaluate and compare the usefulness of a new index, the Oxygen Uptake Efficiency Slope (OUES) as an alternative to the previous ones. Fifteen physical education student women participated in the study (8 as a trained group [T: age (mean ± SD) 21.9 ± 3.3 y, height 165.1 ± 5.5 cm, weight 60.4 ± 3.3 kg] and 7 as a control group [C: age 21.7 ± 1.9 y, height 165.4 ± 7.2 cm, weight 59.6 ± 8.6 kg]). Before and after 6 weeks of the Square-Wave Endurance Exercise Test (SWEET) training program or daily activities, they performed an incremental test (30 W/3 min) on a cycle ergometer to determined V·O2, power output and parameters associated with breathing efficiency (the respiratory equivalents, and the ventilatory dead space to tidal volume ratio [Vd/Vt]) at peak- and VAT-levels. The slope of the relationship between ventilation and carbon dioxide production was also calculated. OUES, derived from the logarithmic relationship between V·O2 and minute ventilation (V·E), was determined at 75 % (OUES75), 90 % (OUES90) and 100 % (OUES100) of exercise duration. After endurance training in T, V·O2 and power output were significantly improved at peak- and VAT-levels while all breathing efficiency indices remained unchanged. No changes were observed in C after 6 weeks. Despite significant correlation between OUES values and V·O2 at peak- and VAT-levels, OUES75, OUES90 and OUES100 did not significantly change after endurance training. While V·O2 and power output at peak- and VAT-levels increased in all T, training-induced changes in OUES appeared more variable. We concluded that OUES was not sufficiently sensitive to highlight improvement of cardiorespiratory reserve after endurance training whereas V·O2 at peak and VAT levels did.

Key words

SWEET training - peak oxygen uptake - ventilatory anaerobic threshold - healthy subject - cycle ergometer

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L. Mourot

Laboratoire de Physiologie-Médecine · Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie

Place St Jacques · 25030 Besançon Cedex · France ·

Phone: +33 381 665654

Fax: +33 381 665614

Email: mourotlaurent@hotmail.com

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