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Recently, a procedure has been established for the determination of the maximally accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD) (Medbo et al., J. Appl. Physiol. 64:50-60, 1988) as an indicator of anaerobic capacity. We hypothesized that, if MAOD were a valid indicator of anaerobic capacity, it should distinguish between aerobically and anaerobically trained athletes and correlate with other existing anaerobic testing measures. Subjects were four distance and five middle distance runners, three sprinters, and four controls. The subjects ran for 2-3 min at 125-140% of VO2max until exhaustion, and the accumulated O2 deficit for that run was calculated by an extrapolation procedure. Subjects also performed the Wingate cycle ergometer test and runs of 300, 400, and 600 m. (Only athletes performed the runs.) Post-exercise blood lactates were obtained following the supramaximal treadmill run. MAOD (in O2 equivalents-ml.kg-1) was higher for the sprinters (78) and middle distance runners (74) than for the long distance runners (56) and control subjects (56) (P less than or equal to 0.05), indicating a greater anaerobic capacity for the former two groups. Consequently, the relative anaerobic contribution was larger for the sprinters (39%) and middle distance runners (37%) than for the long distance runners (30%; P less than or equal to 0.05). Significant correlations were found between MAOD and both Wingate power and treadmill work for all subjects and between Wingate power, Wingate capacity, treadmill work, and 300 m time for the athletes, suggesting that relationships do exist among MAOD and other anaerobic test measures. Potential use of MAOD as an indicator of anaerobic capacity is therefore promising and should be further explored.

A series of three studies was conducted to help determine the physiological mechanism responsible for the previously reported increase in residual volume following maximal exercise. Study I showed that in 18 male volunteers, residual volume and total lung capacity were significantly (P

In brief: Sixty-two subjects completed a four- stage submaximal cycle ergometer test to volitional fatigue. The purpose was to determine if estimates of V O2 max could be improved by using ratings of perceived exertion singly or in combination with easily obtainable physiological measures during submaximal cycle ergometry. While these procedures may not be acceptable for scientific purposes, clinicians could use them to estimate the aerobic power of their patients and athletes.

In brief: Data on body composition, metabolic responses to a maximal treadmill run, postexercise blood lactate, pulmonary function, flexibility, and isokinetic work were obtained in 13 champion synchronized swimmers. Metabolic responses to a maximal tethered swimming test were obtained on four of the subjects. The synchronized swimmers were similar to nonathletic women in percent fat(24.0) and were only slightly different in V o2 max(43.2 ml· kg−1-min−1). The postexercise blood lactate of 101.7 mg/100 ml was comparable to values reported for female competitive swimmers. Results suggest that success in synchronized swimming is not heavily dependent on aerobic capacity, although participants in solo and duet events tended to have higher Vo2 max values.

(1961). A Matter of Timing. Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation: Vol. 32, No. 4, pp. 23-24.