Oxygen uptake at ventilatory threshold and VO2max, before and after eight weeks of endurance training

Purpose: The subject of the research was to compare oxygen uptake at ventilatory threshold with maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), before and after eight weeks of endurance training. Methods: 32 male subjects (age: 22.3 ± 2.5 yr, height: 179.8 ± 7.6 cm, body mass: 76.8 ± 9.0 kg) performed a progressive test to measure ventilatory threshold (VT) and VO2max on treadmill. After 8 weeks of endurance training (3 times per week, duration between 30 and 70 min, in different zones in respect to the ventilatory threshold), subjects do the same test. Results: Oxygen uptake at ventilatory threshold increased significantly (p=0.0001), between initial and final measures (34.8 ± 6.3 mlO2/kg/min, 41.3 ± 6.2 mlO2/kg/min, respectively); same as VO2max (52.1 ± 5.9 mlO2/kg/min, 57.1 ± 5.3 mlO2/kg/min, respectively). At initial test oxygen uptake at ventilatory threshold was 66.3 ± 6.6 % of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). At final test, oxygen uptake at ventilatory threshold was 72.1 ± 6.3% of maximal oxygen uptake. Oxygen uptake at ventilatory threshold were significantly greater at final test (p=0.001), when expressed in percentage of maximal oxygen uptake. Discussion: Oxygen uptake at ventilatory threshold were significantly greater after eight weeks of endurance training (p=0.001), when expressed both in absolute values and in percentage of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). Conclusions: Comparison between initial and final tests demonstrated significant increase of observed variable, under the influence of experimental treatment: oxygen uptake at the ventilatory threshold were greater at final test, in absolute values and when expressed in percentage of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max).