Ambulatory estimates of maximal aerobic power from foot -ground contact times and heart rates in running humans.
Seeking to develop a simple ambulatory test of maximal aerobic power (VO(2 max)), we hypothesized that the ratio of inverse foot-ground contact time (1/t(c)) to heart rate (HR) during steady-speed running would accurately predict VO(2 max). Given the direct relationship between 1/t(c) and mass-specific O(2) uptake during running, the ratio 1/t(c). HR should reflect mass-specific O(2) pulse and, in turn, aerobic power. We divided 36 volunteers into matched experimental and validation groups. VO(2 max) was determined by a treadmill test to volitional fatigue. Ambulatory monitors on the shoe and chest recorded foot-ground contact time (t(c)) and steady-state HR, respectively, at a series of submaximal running speeds. In the experimental group, aerobic fitness index (1/t(c). HR) was nearly constant across running speed and correlated with VO(2 max) (r = 0.90). The regression equation derived from data from the experimental group predicted VO(2 max) from the 1/t(c). HR values in the validation group within 8.3% and 4.7 ml O(2) x kg(-1) x min(-1) (r = 0.84) of measured values. We conclude that simultaneous measurements of foot-ground constant times and heart rates during level running at a freely chosen constant speed can provide accurate estimates of maximal aerobic power.
Weyand
P G
PG
United States Army Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts 01760, USA.
Kelly
M
M
Blackadar
T
T
Darley
J C
JC
Oliver
S R
SR
Ohlenbusch
N E
NE
Joffe
S W
SW
Hoyt
R W
RW
D000054:Acceleration; D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D005544:Forecasting; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*