A Single Test Protocol to Establish the Full Spectrum of Exercise Intensity Prescription

Via the identification of the ramp-specific gas exchange threshold (GET) and respiratory compensation point (RCP), the recently validated step-ramp-step (SRS) protocol enables the prediction of the power outputs at the lactate threshold and maximal metabolic steady state. Purpose We aimed to test the extended capabilities of the SRS protocol by validating its capacity to predict the power outputs for targeted metabolic rates (VO2) and time-to-task failure (Tlim) within the heavy- and severe-intensity domain, respectively. Methods Fourteen young individuals completed (i) an SRS protocol from which the power outputs at GET and RCP (RCPCORR), and the work accruable above RCPCORR, defined as W′RAMP, were derived; (ii) one heavy-intensity bout at a power output predicted to elicit a targeted VO2 equidistant from GET and RCP; and (iii) four severe-intensity trials at power outputs predicted to elicit targeted Tlim at minutes 2.5, 5, 10, and 13. These severe-intensity trials were also used to compute the constant-load-derived critical power and W (W′CONSTANT). Results Targeted (2.41 ± 0.52 L·min-1) and measured (2.43 ± 0.52 L·min-1) VO2 at the identified heavy-intensity power output (162 ± 43 W) were not different (P = 0.71) and substantially concordant (CCC = 0.95). Likewise, targeted and measured Tlim for the four identified severe-intensity power outputs were not different (P > 0.05), and the aggregated coefficient of variation was 10.7% ± 8.9%. The derived power outputs at RCPCORR (192 ± 53 W) and critical power (193 ± 53 W) were not different (P = 0.65) and highly concordant (CCC = 0.99). There were also no differences between W′RAMP and W′CONSTANT (P = 0.51). Conclusions The SRS protocol can accurately predict power outputs to elicit discrete metabolic rates and exercise durations, thus providing, with time efficiency, a high precision for the control of the metabolic stimulus during exercise.