A Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing for Prescribing High-Intensity Interval Training Sessions with Elastic Resistance

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the agreement of cardiopulmonary variables between a cardiopulmonary exercise test with elastic resistance (CPxEL) and high-intensity interval exercise with elastic resistance (EL-HIIE).

Methods: Twenty-two physically independent participants were recruited. Visit one consisted of conducting a health survey and anthropometric assessment. On visit two, the participants performed CPxEL. After seven days, on visit three, the participants performed EL-HIIE. The CPxEL was carried out on a rubber mat demarcated by lines representing eight stages. The test consisted of alternating back and forth steps against elastic resistance. The increments were performed at a rate of one stage per minute, following a cadence controlled by a metronome calibrated by beats per minute (bpm). The EL-HIIE was performed at the stage corresponding to an intensity of ~85% VO_2max, as determined by CPxEL. The EL-HIIE consisted of 10 × 1 min (work):1 min (passive rest), with a cadence of 200 bpm. Cardiopulmonary parameters, heart rate (HR), and oxygen consumption (VO₂) were measured during exercise. Bland-Altman was applied to analyze the agreement between the HR and VO₂ found in EL-HIIE and the values prescribed by CPxEL (~85-90% VO_2max).

Results: The HRpeak and VO₂peak in the EL-HIIE showed good agreement with the VO_2CPxEL and HR_CPxEL values, showing an average difference of (-1.7 mL·kg^-1·min^-1) and (0.3 bpm).

Conclusions: The results of the present study demonstrate the agreement of cardiopulmonary variables between the CPxEL and the EL-HIIE. Therefore, for a more specific prescription of EL-HIIE intensity, CPxEL can be used.

Keywords: cardiopulmonary exercise testing; high-intensity interval training; oxygen consumption.

Figure 1

Study design. Day 1: Medical and anthropometric evaluation. Day 2: Cardiopulmonary test with elastic resistance (CPxEL). Day 3: High-intensity interval exercise session (EL-HIIE). VO₂: oxygen consumption; HR: heart rate.

Figure 2

Schematic of the rubberized mat (length of 4.50 m) demarcated with 11 lines (0–10)—30 cm between lines. S0 (WU) and 8 (eight) stages (S1 to S8)—60 cm between stages, interspersed with black and white colors. WU: warm-up. Source: [12].

Figure 3

Bland–Altman plot: Y axis—upper generated line (indicates upper limit +2SD), a line drawn in the center (indicates the difference between means), and lower generated line (indicates lower limit -2SD). VO₂: oxygen consumption; HR: heart rate. (A) Limits of agreement of the Bland–Altman technique between the VO_2CpxEL and VO_2session (peak). (B) Limits of agreement of the Bland–Altman technique between the VO_2CpxEL and the VO_2session (average). (C) Limits of agreement of the Bland–Altman technique between the HR_CpxEL and the HR_session (peak). (D) Limits of agreement of the Bland–Altman technique between the HR_CpxEL and the HR_session (average).

Figure 4

(A) Values and standard deviation of VO_2CPxEL, VO_2session (peak) EL-HIIE, and VO_2session (average) EL-HIIE. (B) Graph of the difference between the mean values of VO_2CPxEL, VO_2session (peak) EL-HIIE, and VO_2session (average) EL-HIIE. X-axis: difference between the values.

Figure 5

(A) Values and standard deviation of HR_CPxEL, HR_session (peak), and HR_session (average). (B) Graph of the differences between the mean values of HR_CPxEL, HR_session (peak)EL-HIIE, and HR_session (average). X-axis: the difference between the values.