A Single Test Protocol to Establish the Full Spectrum of Exercise Intensity Prescription.

Via the identification of the ramp-specific gas exchange threshold (GET) and respiratory compensation point (RCP), the recently validated step--ramp--step (SRS) protocol enables the prediction of the power outputs at the lactate threshold and maximal metabolic steady state. Purpose: We aimed to test the extended capabilities of the SRS protocol by validating its capacity to predict the power outputs for targeted metabolic rates (VO2) and time-to-task failure (Tlim) within the heavy- and severe-intensity domain, respectively. Methods: Fourteen young individuals completed (i) an SRS protocol from which the power outputs at GET and RCP (RCPCORR), and the work accruable above RCPCORR, defined as WRAMP, were derived; (ii) one heavy-intensity bout at a power output predicted to elicit a targeted VO2 equidistant from GET and RCP; and (iii) four severe-intensity trials at power outputs predicted to elicit targeted Tlim at minutes 2.5, 5, 10, and 13. These severe-intensity trials were also used to compute the constant-load--derived critical power and W´ (WCONSTANT). Results: Targeted (2.41 ± 0.52 L·min-1) and measured (2.43 ± 0.52 L·min-1) VO2 at the identified heavy-intensity power output (162 ± 43 W) were not different (P = 0.71) and substantially concordant (CCC = 0.95). Likewise, targeted and measured Tlim for the four identified severe-intensity power outputs were not different (P > 0.05), and the aggregated coefficient of variation was 10.7% ± 8.9%. The derived power outputs at RCPCORR (192 ± 53W) and critical power (193 ± 53 W) were not different (P = 0.65) and highly concordant (CCC = 0.99). There were also no differences between WRAMP and WCONSTANT (P = 0.51). Conclusions: The SRS protocol can accurately predict power outputs to elicit discrete metabolic rates and exercise durations, thus providing, with time efficiency, a high precision for the control of the metabolic stimulus during exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]