title: Assessment of the accuracy of the Conconi test in determining gas analysis anaerobic threshold.
abstract: The primary objective of this study was to assess the validity of the Conconi method of assessing anaerobic threshold (AT). Twenty-two competitive cyclists (11 men, 11 women) performed an incremental, maximal oxygen uptake (Vdot;o(2)max) test on an electrically braked cycle ergometer. AT was assessed by a nonlinear increase in the carbon dioxide to oxygen consumption ratio (V-slope method). AT was also measured by a computer-assessed break point in heart rate from linearity (Conconi method). Mean values for heart rate at AT were 157.3 and 163.3 b x min(-1) for the Conconi and V-slope methods, respectively. Although there was no significant difference (t = 1.07, p = 0.30) in the 2 methods, a rather low correlation coefficient (r = 0.458), high standard error of estimate (SEE = 10.7 b x min(-1)), and high total error (TE = 16.7 b x min(-1)) would preclude the use of the Conconi method as a practical tool for assessing AT.
authors.affiliation: Health and Human Performance, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota 55105, USA. dgcarey@stthomas.edu
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology; D016552:Ergometry / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D011336:Probability; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity