The effect of shuttle test protocol and the resulting lactacidaemia on maximal velocity and maximal oxygen uptake during the shuttle exercise test

Summary The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the shuttle test protocol (20-MST) and the resulting lactacidaemia on maximal velocity (V _max) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max). Firstly, three randomly assigned tests to exhaustion were performed by 12 subjects: the treadmill test, the 20-MST, and a continuous running track test using the same prerecorded 1-min protocol as in the 20-MST (T1). One week later, subjects performed another track test, which was conducted up to the same level of effort as attained during the 20-MST (T2). For each test, V _max, VO_2max) lactate concentration at rest and during recovery, maximal heart rate, and distance covered were determined. The results indicated that the 20-MST underestimated V _max; only Tl satisfactorily assessed V _max (F=15.49, P<0.001). At the same level of effort, the peak blood lactate concentration (t=2.7, P<0.02) and VO_2max (t=11.35, P<0.001) values were higher for the shuttle than for the continuous protocol. It was concluded that V _max was limited by the running backwards and forwards in the protocol of the shuttle test. The higher values of peak blood lactate concentration and its earlier appearance obtained for the shuttle may have been one of the limiting factors of V _max. However, the higher values of VO_2max obtained for the 20-MST were most likely due to a combination of the relative hyperlactacidaemia and the biomechanical complexities required for this type of protocol.