Metabolic interpretation of ventilatory parameters during maximal effort test and their applicability to sports

Abstract

One important tool for producing specifi c and individualized training intensities is to determine ventilatory threshold (VT), respiratory compensation point (RCP) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) by means of maximum effort testing. However, in order to be able to interpret these data in a wide-ranging manner, it is also important to understand the metabolic responses that occur during the test as the systems transporting and utilizing O2 and producing CO2 adjust. This review article presents an overview of the metabolic responses that take place during a hypothetical maximum effort test, and the applicability of the fi gures thus obtained to the training of athletes.