Analysis of Reliability of Peak Treadmill Running in Maximum Progressive Effort Test: Influence of Training LevelOBJECTIVE: To determine the reliability (stability) of the peak velocity measurement (VPeak) derived from the incremental maximal effort test, as well as to establish the possible influence of the level of training on these responses.
METHOD: Thirty-eight male volunteers made two visits (3 - 5 days apart) to the training center where the study was conducted and performed maximal progressive running tests. The protocol consisted of increments of 0.5 km.h-1/min, starting at a running speed comfortable for each participant (7-9 km.h-1). All subjects were encouraged to achieve the maximum possible performance in both tests, with final voluntary exhaustion being the criterion for interruption.
RESULTS: The intra-class correlation coefficient presented excellent consistency of measurements (ICC = 0.975 - p = 0.001). The typical relative error of the measurement was 2.6% for the stability of the measurement of VPeak. Moreover, there were no significant differences between the individual coefficients of variation for measures 1 vs. 2 (p > 0.05). Graphical representation of Bland-Altman demonstrated a homogeneous distribution of the measurement error for all dependent variables.
CONCLUSION: Determination of VPeak exhibited excellent levels of reliability with small measurement errors. There was no influence of the training level on the reliability responses.
KEYWORDS: Reliability; VO2Max; Aerobic Exercise; Aerobic Performance
