Skip to main content
Log in

Low frequency of the "plateau phenomenon" during maximal exercise in elite British athletes

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A plateau in oxygen consumption (O2) has long been considered the criterion for maximal effort during an incremental exercise test. But, surprisingly, the termination of a maximum exercise test often occurs in the absence of aO2 plateau. To explain this inconsistency, some have proposed that an oxygen limitation in skeletal muscle occurs only in elite athletes. To evaluate this hypothesis, we determined the frequency with which the "plateau phenomenon" developed in a group of elite male and female athletes. Fifty subjects performed a continuous incremental treadmill test to measure maximal oxygen consumption (O2max). Treadmill velocity increased by 0.31 m s−1 until the respiratory exchange ratio (R) reached 1.00. Thereafter the treadmill gradient increased by 1% each minute until exhaustion. TheO2max was the highestO2 sustained for 60 s. Three criteria were used to determine maximal efforts: (1) a plateau in theO2, defined as an increase of less than 1.5 ml kg−1 min−1; (2) a final R of 1.1 or above; (3) a final heart rate (HR) above 95% of the age-related maximum. MeanO2max exceeded 65 ml kg−1 min−1 in both groups. The criteria for R and HR were satisfied by 72% of males and 56% females, and 55% of males and 69% of females, respectively. In contrast aO2 plateau was identified in only 39% of males and 25% of females. These findings refute the twin arguments: (1) that the absence of a "plateau phenomenon" results from an inadequate motivational effort in poorly trained athletes and (2) that the "plateau phenomenon" and a consequent skeletal muscle anaerobiosis occur only in athletes with the highestO2max values.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Armstrong N, Welsman JR, Winsley R (1995) Is peakO2 a maximal index of children's aerobic fitness? J Sports Med 12:356–359

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong N, Welsman JR, Kirby BJ (1998) Peak oxygen uptake and maturation in 12-year-olds. Med Sci Sport Exerc 30:165–169

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Astrand P-O (1952) Experimental studies of physical working capacity in relation to sex and age. Munksgaard, Copenhagen, pp 1–171

  • Balke B (1954) Optimale Korperliche Leistungfahigheit, ihre Messung and Verangerung infolge Arbeitsermudung. Arbeitsphysiologie 15:311

    Google Scholar 

  • Bassett DR, Howley ET (1997) Maximal oxygen uptake: "classical" versus "contemporary" viewpoints. Med Sci Sports Exerc 29:591–603

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bassett DR, Howley ET (2000) Limiting factors for maximum oxygen uptake and determinants of endurance performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 32:70–84

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cunningham DA, van Waterschoot BM, Paterson DH, Lefcoe M, Sangal SP (1977) Reliability and reproducibility of maximal oxygen uptake measurement in children. Med Sci Sports Exerc 9:104–108

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Daniels J, Daniels N (1992) Running economy of elite male and female runners. Med Sci Sports Exerc 24:483–489

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Davies CTM (1968) Limitations in the prediction of maximum oxygen intake form cardiac frequency measurements. J Appl Physiol 24:700–706

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dempsey JA, Wagner PD (1999) Exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia. J Appl Physiol 87:1997–2006

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dempsey JA, Hanson PG, Henderson KS (1984) Exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia in healthy human subjects at sea level. J Physiol (Lond) 255:161–175

    Google Scholar 

  • Draper SB, Wood DM, Fallowfield JL (1999) The effect of test protocol onO2peak and the incidence of aO2 plateau. J Sports Sci 17:31

    Google Scholar 

  • Duncan GE, Howley ET, Johnson BN (1997) Applicability ofO2max criteria: discontinuous versus continuous protocols. Med Sci Sports Exerc 29:273–278

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Froelicher V, Brammell H, Davis G, Nogera I, Steward A, Lancaster MC (1974) A comparison of three maximal treadmill exercise protocols. J Appl Physiol 36:720–725

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hartling OJ, Kelbaek T, Gjørup T, Schibye B, Klausen K, Trap-Jensen J (1989) Forearm oxygen uptake during maximal forearm dynamic exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 58:466–470

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill AV, Long CNH, Lupton H (1924a) Muscular exercise, lactic acid, and the supply and utilisation of oxygen I–III. Proc R Soc B Biol Sci 96:438–475

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill AV, Long CNH, Lupton H (1924b) Muscular exercise, lactic acid, and the supply and utilisation of oxygen VII–VIII. Proc R Soc B Biol Sci 97:155–176

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoogeveen AR, Hoogsteen GS (1999) The ventilatory threshold, heart rate, and endurance performance: relationships in elite cyclists. Int J Sports Med 20:114–117

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Issekutz B, Birkhead NC, Rodahl K (1962) Use of respiratory quotients in assessment of aerobic work capacity. J Appl Physiol 17:47–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Kay D, Cannon J, Marino FE St Clair Gibson, Lambert MI, Noakes TD (2001) Evidence for neuromuscular fatigue during cycling in warm humid conditions. Eur J Appl Physiol 84:115–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Lucia A, Sanchez O, Carvajal A, Chicharro JL (1999) Analysis of the aerobic-anaerobic transition in elite cyclists during incremental exercise with the use of electromyography. Br J Sports Med 33:178–185

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maritz JS, Morrison JF, Peter J, Strydom NB, Wyndham CH (1961) A practical method of estimating and individual's maximal oxygen uptake. Ergonomics 4:97–122

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell JH, Blomqvist G (1971) Maximal oxygen uptake. N Engl J Med 284:1018–1022

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Myers J, Walsh D, Buchanan M, Froelicher V (1989) Can maximal cardiopulmonary capacity be recognised by a plateau on oxygen uptake? Chest 96:1312–1316

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers J, Walsh D, Sullivan M, Froelicher V (1990) Effect of sampling on variability and plateau in oxygen uptake. J Appl Physiol 68:404–410

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nieman DC, Nehlen-Cannarella SL, Fagoaga OR, Henson DA, Shannon M, Davis JM, Austin, MD, Hisey CL, Holbeck JS, Hjertman JM, Bolton MR, Schilling BK (1999) Immune response to two hours of rowing in elite female rowers. Int J Sports Med 20:476–481

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Niemelä K, Palatsi I, Takkunen J (1980) The oxygen uptake–work–output relationship of runners during graded cycling exercise: sprinters vs endurance runners. Br J Sports Med 14:204–209

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Noakes TD (1988) Implications of exercise testing for prediction of athletic performance: a contemporary perspective. Med Sci Sports Exerc 20:319–330

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Noakes TD (1997) Challenging beliefs: ex Africa simper aliquid novi. Med Sci Sports Exerc 29:571–590

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Noakes TD (1998) Maximal oxygen uptake: "classical" versus "contemporary" viewpoints: a rebuttal. Med Sci Sports Exerc 30:1381–1398

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Noakes TD (2000) Physiological models to understand exercise fatigue and the adaptations that predict or enhance athletic performance. Scand J Med Sci Sports 10:123–145

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rowland TW (1993) Does peakO2 reflectO2max in children?: evidence from supramaximal testing. Med Sci Sports Exerc 25:689–693

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rowland TW, Cunningham LN (1992) Oxygen plateau during maximal treadmill exercise in children. Chest 101:485–489

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sheehan JM, Rowland TW, Burke EJ (1987) A comparison of four treadmill protocols for determination of maximum oxygen uptake in 10- to 12-year-old boys. Int J Sports Med 8:31–34

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sloniger MA, Cureton KJ, Carrasco DI (1996) Effect of slow-component rise in oxygen uptake onO2max. Med Sci Sports Exerc 28:72–78

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • St Clair Gibson A, Lambert MI, Hawley, JA, Broomhead SA, Noakes TD (1999) Measurement of maximal oxygen uptake from two different laboratory protocols in runners and squash players. Med Sci Sports Exerc 31:1226–1229

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • St Clair Gibson A, Schabort EJ, Noakes TD (2001) Reduced efferent neural command causes fatigue during prolonged cycling. Am J Physiol 281:R187–R196

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor C (1941) Studies in exercise physiology. Am J Physiol 135:27–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor HL, Buskirk E, Henschel A (1955) Maximal oxygen uptake as an objective measure of cardiorespiratory performance. J Appl Physiol 8:73–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagner PD (2000) New ideas on limitationstoO2max. Exerc Sports Sci Rev 28:10–14

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Warburton DER, Gledhill N, Jamnik VK, Krip B, Card N (1999) Induced hypervolemia, cardiac function,O2max, and performance of elite cyclists. Med Sci Sports Exerc 31:800–808

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wyndham CH, Strydom NB, Maritz JS, Morrison JF, Peter J, Potgieter ZU (1959) Maximum oxygen intake and maximum HR during strenuous work. J Appl Physiol 14:927–936

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgement

The costs for the testing of the athletes in this study were provided by the British Olympic Committee.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Doherty.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Doherty, M., Nobbs, L. & Noakes, T.D. Low frequency of the "plateau phenomenon" during maximal exercise in elite British athletes. Eur J Appl Physiol 89, 619–623 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-003-0845-z

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-003-0845-z

Keywords

Navigation