V˙O2 plateau in treadmill exercise is not dependent on anaerobic capacity

Introduction: A plateau in oxygen consumption (V˙O2 plateau) remains the definitive criteria for establishing that maximal oxygen consumption (V˙O2max) was achieved during maximal exercise despite its inconsistent presence. Anaerobic capacity may assist in achieving a V˙O2 plateau. Purposes: To determine if a correlation exists between maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD) and magnitude of V˙O2 plateau during treadmill exercise. Methods: Participants completed submaximal, maximal, and supramaximal exercise treadmill tests on separate occasions. MAOD was determined during the supramaximal test by calculating the difference between oxygen consumption (V˙O2) and predicted V˙O2 based on extrapolation of submaximal data. V˙O2 plateau was determined as a < 50 ml change in V˙O2 over the last 60 s of exercise. Results: Ten of seventeen participants showed a plateau in V˙O2. Oxygen deficit was not different between the plateau and non-plateau groups (44.2 ± 10.8 vs. 44.8 ± 8.5 ml·kg−1, p = 0.906). Oxygen deficit was not correlated with change in V˙O2 (r = − 0.087, p = 0.739). Aerobic training hours·week−1 were higher in the plateau group than non-plateau (4.8 ± 1.5 vs. 1.7 ± 2.1, p = 0.003) and correlated with change in V˙O2 (r = − 0.418, p = 0.048). Conclusions: In treadmill running, there is not a significant correlation between V˙O2 plateau and MAOD as has been seen in cycling. © 2018, Springer-Verlag Italia S.r.l., part of Springer Nature.