Accuracy of exercise prescription methods compared to the ventilatory threshold
Abstract
Many exercise professionals use non-invasive methods to determine exercise
prescription. These methods have the risk of prescribing exercise intensities that are
below and above the ventilatory threshold (VT). This study compared the ACSM
recommended exercise prescription percentages to variables (HR, V02) at VT. Twenty
healthy volunteers (n = 20) performed a maximal exercise test to determine VT, peak
V02, HRmax. The variables at VT were compared to the percentages (40,60,80%
V02peak, 55,70,90% peak HR, and 40,85% HRR) that were widely used to prescribe
exercise. There was a statistically significant difference (p < .05) between the variables
at VT and numerous recommended percentages; however, there were no significant
correlations between the percentages and variables at VT. The authors concluded that
intensities of 60% VOzpeak, and 75% HRrnax were associated with intensities that are
equivalent to the VT.
Subject
Exercise - Physiological aspects
Respiration
Anaerobiosis
Treadmill exercise tests - Physiological aspects