1. The Importance of Testing and Measuring Maximal Steady State Robert A. Robergs, Ph.D., FASEP, EPC Exercise Physiology Laboratories, Exercise Science Program, University of New Mexico

2. Endurance athlete laboratory testing has traditionally been constrained to VO 2 max, metabolic thresholds and economy. Mounting evidence that metabolic threshold under- represents the average intensity during endurance exercise performance. Quantifying the true maximal steady state differs to a metabolic threshold gained from incremental exercise testing. Maximal steady state testing is essential, but there are minimal guidelines and recommendations on this procedure. Background

3. Problems With VO 2 max What is VO 2 max? How is VO 2 max quantified? What data processing method should be used? How do we deal with mode- specificity? How do we deal with protocol specificity? What is the risk of maximal exercise testing for different populations?

4. Data Example

7. Maximal Steady State Highest intensity at steady state. Most similar to average performance intensity for 30 to 90 min. Totally dependent on muscular and cardio- respiratory endurance More safe for “at risk” subjects. Simple data processing. Provides a valid measure for training programs.

8. What Maximal Steady State Is Not! Incremental Metabolic Threshold (LT, VT, OBLA)

10. Measuring Maximal Steady State Option 1: VO 2 max test. Determine VT or LT. Calculate intensity at 110% VT or LT. After subject has recovered, Exercise for 15 min at 110 %VT or LT. If variables (HR, V E, VO 2 ) remain stable over time, increment 10 Watts or 0.25 mi/Hr and repeat. Continue until physiological variables no longer reflect steady state.

11. Option 2: Exercise and increase intensity over time until RER is close to 1.0. Exercise for 15 min at this intensity. If variables remain stable over time, increment 10 Watts or 0.25 mi/Hr and repeat. Continue until physiological variables no longer reflect steady state. Best to allow subject to recover for 5 - 10 min between bouts. Maximal Steady State = highest steady state intensity

12. Example Data

14. Thank you www.unm.edu/~rrobergs