Abstract

A projection of submaximal measures of work-rate (WR) and oxygen uptake (), assuming a linear relationship, is typically used to predict supramaximal intensities (>) as required to determine anaerobic capacity by maximal accumulated oxygen deficit. The aims of this study were: a) to investigate whether submaximal measures of WR and displayed a linear relationship during familiar and unfamiliar exercise below and above lactate threshold (LT); and b) to determine the reliability of predicted supramaximal WRs. Eight male cyclists (mean±SD age: 41±8 years, mass: 75.6±7.6 kg, height: 1.77±0.05 m; : 4.1±0.4 L·min⁻¹) completed two identical cycling trials and a running trial. In each trial, 10×3 min incremental bouts of submaximal exercise were used to determine lines-of-best-fit for the WR- relationship for: 1) the entire test; 2) values below and above LT; and 3) rolling clusters of four consecutive values. Reliability of supramaximal cycling WR (110% ) was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and coefficient of variation (CV). For the entire cycling trials, slopes (10.88±1.66 ml O₂·W⁻¹ and 12.56±1.39 ml O₂·W⁻¹), and correlation coefficients (0.99±0.02 and 0.98±0.04) were not different. The y-intercept was greater (p=0.041) in the first cycling trial (765±230 ml O₂) compared with the second (494±258 ml O₂). Slope, intercept and correlation coefficients were not different below vs. above LT and between rolling clusters of values in any trial. The CV of the predicted supramaximal WR at 110% from each cycling trial (325±40 W and 322±43 W) was 7.0%, with ICC being 0.61. These data show that WR and display a linear relationship regardless of exercise intensity or familiarity. In conclusion, linear projection of submaximal WR- measures can be used to predict supramaximal intensities as required to determine maximal accumulated oxygen deficit.