Abstract
Several methods are used to estimate anaerobic threshold (AT) during exercise. The aim of the present study was to compare AT obtained by a graphic visual method for the estimate of ventilatory and metabolic variables (gold standard), to a bi-segmental linear regression mathematical model of Hinkley's algorithm applied to heart rate (HR) and carbon dioxide output (VCO2) data. Thirteen young (24 ± 2.63 years old) and 16 postmenopausal (57 ± 4.79 years old) healthy and sedentary women were submitted to a continuous ergospirometric incremental test on an electromagnetic braking cycloergometer with 10 to 20 W/min increases until physical exhaustion. The ventilatory variables were recorded breath-to-breath and HR was obtained beat-to-beat over real time. Data were analyzed by the nonparametric Friedman test and Spearman correlation test with the level of significance set at 5%. Power output (W), HR (bpm), oxygen uptake (VO2; mL kg-1 min-1), VO2 (mL/min), VCO2 (mL/min), and minute ventilation (VE; L/min) data observed at the AT level were similar for both methods and groups studied (P > 0.05). The VO2 (mL kg-1 min-1) data showed significant correlation (P < 0.05) between the gold standard method and the mathematical model when applied to HR (r s = 0.75) and VCO2 (r s = 0.78) data for the subjects as a whole (N = 29). The proposed mathematical method for the detection of changes in response patterns of VCO2 and HR was adequate and promising for AT detection in young and middle-aged women, representing a semi-automatic, non-invasive and objective AT measurement.
Anaerobic threshold; Incremental test; Graphic visual method; Mathematical model; Hinkley's algorithm
Braz J Med Biol Res, April 2007, Volume 40(4) 501-508
Comparison of anaerobic threshold determined by visual and mathematical methods in healthy women
M.N. Higa1, E. Silva3,4, V.F.C. Neves3, A.M. Catai3, L. Gallo Jr.2 and M.F. Silva de Sá1
Departamento de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia, 2Divisão de Cardiologia, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
3Núcleo de Pesquisa em Exercício Físico, Laboratório de Fisioterapia Cardiovascular, Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brasil
4Laboratório de Pesquisa em Fisioterapia Cardiovascular e de Provas Funcionais, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Metodista de Piracicaba, Piracicaba, SP, Brasil
References
Correspondence and Footnotes
Description
The study evaluates anaerobic threshold methods in healthy women.