TY - JOUR T1 - Specific incremental test in elite squash players JF - British Journal of Sports Medicine JO - Br J Sports Med SP - 921 LP - 926 DO - 10.1136/bjsm.2005.018101 VL - 39 IS - 12 AU - O Girard AU - P Sciberras AU - M Habrard AU - P Hot AU - R Chevalier AU - G P Millet Y1 - 2005/12/01 UR - http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/39/12/921.abstract N2 - Objectives: To compare cardiorespiratory responses between incremental treadmill (non-specific) and field (sport specific) tests in elite squash players. Methods: Seven elite players (ranked 1 to 25 in their national federation including the World number 1) randomly performed an incremental treadmill test (TT) and a squash specific graded test (ST) to exhaustion. The ST consisted of repeated displacements replicating the game of squash, at increasing speed on the court. In both tests, ventilatory variables and heart rate were determined at the ventilatory threshold, respiratory compensation point, and maximal loads (max). Results: Heart rate and percentage maximal oxygen uptake (V˙o2max) at the ventilatory threshold and respiratory compensation point were not different between the ST and TT, whereas V˙o2max was higher in the ST than in the TT (63.6 (3.0) v 54.9 (2.5) ml/kg/min; p<0.001). Time to exhaustion was not different between the ST and TT (1056 (180) v 962 (71) seconds) but correlated with the ranking of the players only in the ST (r  =  −0.96, p<0.001). Conclusions: V˙o2max values derived from laboratory testing were not relevant for accurately estimating fitness in elite squash players. So the ST may be used as an additional test for determination of training intensity. Improved training advice for prescribing aerobic exercise or perfecting stroke technique may result from these results. ER -