Relationship of simple reaction time and aerobic and anaerobic capacities with performance of recreational adult orienteers

Relação do tempo de reação simples e das capacidades aeróbica e anaeróbica com o desempenho de adultos recreacionais em Orientação

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the effects of Simple Reaction Time (SRT), MaximalOxygen Uptake ($\stackrel{?}{\mathrm{V}}\stackrel{?}{\mathrm{V}}$ O₂max) and Maximal Anaerobic Power (Pmax) on the performance of category A recreational adult orienteers of both sexes. Sixteen subjects (8 men and 8 women; age: 30 ± 4 and 27 ± 5 years; body mass 78.8 ± 5.9 and 69.2 ± 10.4 kg; SRT: 1.391 ± 0.19 and 1.317 ± 0.25 ms; $\stackrel{?}{\mathrm{V}}\stackrel{?}{\mathrm{V}}$ O₂max: 67.4 ± 3.22 and 48.5 ± 8.28 ml.kg-1.min-1; Pmax: 675.0 ± 149.6 and 458.4 ± 88.62 W), were submitted to three evaluation sessions: sample characterization (1st session); SRT - Reaction Time Task v.2.0, $\stackrel{?}{\mathrm{V}}\stackrel{?}{\mathrm{V}}$ O₂max, and Pmax - Running Anaerobic Sprint Test (2nd session); official Orienteering test (3rd session). Results of comparison (Student’s T-test) and relation (Pearson Product-Moment Correlation and Multiple Linear Regression) tests showed significant relationships between independent variables and performance. Pmax presented strong predictive power in the male group (41%), followed by SRT (32%) and $\stackrel{?}{\mathrm{V}}\stackrel{?}{\mathrm{V}}$ O₂max (27%). In the female group, SRT was the most predictive variable (54%), followed by $\stackrel{?}{\mathrm{V}}\stackrel{?}{\mathrm{V}}$ O₂max (32%) and Pmax (12%). These findings indicated that SRT, $\stackrel{?}{\mathrm{V}}\stackrel{?}{\mathrm{V}}$ O₂max, and Pmax are variables predictive of performance in recreational category A orienteers. Specifically in recreational orienteers with high cardiorespiratory capacities, Pmax seems to be the mainpredictor variable. Conversely, SRT becomes the variable with the greatest predictive power.

Key words
Oxygen uptake; Metabolism; Reaction time