A simple method to determine the severe-extreme intensity exercise domain boundary using the VO 2 kinetic response
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The boundary separating the severe intensity exercise domain, wherein the maximal O2 uptake (V˙O2max) can be attained, from the extreme intensity exercise domain, wherein V˙O2max cannot be attained, is not widely adopted in applied sports sciences due to the labour-intensive nature of its measurement. The aim of this study was to propose an alternative and practical approach to estimate the severe-extreme domain boundary using V˙O2 kinetics. Sixteen males completed an incremental exercise test and a series of constant power output exercise tests on a cycle ergometer. The relationship between time to achieve V˙O2max and time to task failure during severe-intensity exercise was calculated to estimate the highest power output at which V˙O2max was momentarily attained before task failure (PUPPERBOUND). Separately, the highest power output that provided a time to task failure that was equal to or greater than four times the time constant (τ) describing the V˙O2 kinetics during severe-intensity exercise (P4-τ) was calculated. The PUPPERBOUND and P4-τ occurred at similar power outputs (379 vs. 380 W; p = 0.62) and were closely related (r:0.99; bias:1 W; SEE:7 W; CV%:1.92%; LoA:–14 W to 16 W). Compared to PUPPERBOUND, the P4-τ method provides a simpler and more time efficient approach to identify the severe-extreme domain boundary.
Source: Journal of Sports Sciences
Institutions: Ege University, University of Exeter, Loughborough University
Language: English
Subfield: Complementary and alternative medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4410869766