VO₂ kinetics expressed as MRT is correlated with VO₂max when measured using a PRBS protocol

[Extract] Oxygen uptake (VO₂) kinetics, measured using a pseudo-random binary sequence (PRBS) exercise test, has been proposed as a convenient low intensity method of determining cardiovascular fitness in sports people unwilling or unable to perform maximal exercise (Edwards et al., 1999). Although frequency domain analysis of PRBS exercise has shown that VO₂ kinetics are related to maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) (Eβfeld 1987), the application of the PRBS technique to assess cardiovascular (CV) fitness has been limited perhaps because of the difficulty of interpreting the frequency responses. Calculation of the mean response time (MRT) provides an alternative to frequency domain analysis (Hughson et al., 1991) and has the advantage of providing a single test measure of VO₂ kinetics, however this technique has not been widely used. The purpese of this study was to utilise MRT to examine the relationship between VO₂ kinetics and VO₂max

Time domain analysis of oxygen uptake kinetics in elite runners by pseudo random binary sequence (PRBS) exercise

Oxygen uptake kinetics assessed in the frequency domain are known to be differentially faster in elite endurance runners than in elite sprinters. Breath-by-breath data from PRBS testing have routinely been analysed by application of Fourier methods, however, it is possible to analyse the data in the time domain in the form of a Total Lag Time (TLT). In this study, correlational techniques were applied to yield an output response to a work rate input. An autocorrelation function was performed on the input work rate (WR) and a cross correlation function was performed on input (WR) and output (vO₂). The cross correlation function was analysed by fitting a linear summation of the ramp form of a two-component exponential function to a triangular pulse. Twelve elite male sprinters and 12 elite male endurance runners completed 3 identical PRBS cycles of 300 s with 20 s work rate changes between 25 and 85 W on an electrically braked cycle ergometer at a pedal cadence of 1 Hz. Oxygen uptake was measured on a breath-by-breath basis using a respiratory mass spectrometer. Statistical analysis using the analysis of variance revealed significantly faster oxygen uptake kinetics (TLT) in the elite endurance runners compared with the elite sprinters (33.3 s 3.39SD and 39.91 s 7.14SD respectively) (p < 0.01). The results of this study show that time domain analysis represents a possible alternative to frequency analysis in the study of oxygen uptake kinetics described by PRBS exercise

The test-retest reliability of gas exchange kinetics in humans using a pseudo random binary sequence exercise test

The purpose of this study was to compare the test-retest reliability of oxygen uptake (VO2) kinetics with carbon dioxide output (VCO2) kinetics using a pseudo random binary sequence (PRBS) exercise test. A reliable test of gas exchange kinetics would have the potential of being applied as a sports fitness test. Ten healthy male subjects agreed to participate in the study and all subjects completed two identical PRBS exercise tests (test 1 and test 2), separated by a 30 min period of inactivity. Three consecutive 300 s PRBS cycles were completed in each test with 20 s exercise intensity changes between 25 and 85 W using an electrically braked cycle ergometer. Fourier analysis was computed for frequencies 3.3, 6.7 and 10 mHz. Statistical analysis by two-way ANOVA with repeated measures did not reveal significant differences between test 1 and test 2 for either VO2 kinetics or VCO2 kinetics. Static gain of VO2 for test 1 [9.11 (SD 0.59) ml.min-1.W-1] and test 2 [9.23 (SD 0.64) ml.min-1.W-1] did not differ significantly between tests. The 95% limits of agreement for VCO2 kinetics displayed increased variability in comparison to VO2 kinetics at each frequency of amplitude ratio and phase shift. Systematic bias ranged between 0% and 4%, except at frequency 10 mHz of VCO2 kinetics phase shift which showed a 10% bias for slower VO2 kinetics in test 2. It is possible that the increased variability of VCO2 kinetics compared to VO2 kinetics might be attributable to a lower signal to noise ratio in VCO2 kinetics, variations in ventilation or the storage mechanisms of CO2. The lower variability of VO2 kinetics compared with VCO2 kinetics suggests that the PRBS test of VO2 kinetics has the greater potential for further development as an indicator of aerobic fitness