Heart rate deflection point corresponds to ventilatory threshold during water-based maximal test in untrained women

Abstract

Background: The research problem addresses the investigation of the correlation and accuracy of the Heart Rate Deflection Point (HRDP) method compared to the Ventilatory Threshold (VT) method in predicting the Anaerobic Threshold (AT) during water-based stationary running maximal tests performed by untrained women.

Goals: This study compared heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (VO₂), percentage of maximal heart rate (%HR_max), percentage of maximal oxygen uptake (%VO_2max) and cadence (CAD) related to the anaerobic threshold (AT) during a water-based stationary running maximal test performed by untrained women between HRDP and VT methods. In addition, the correlations between both methods were assessed for all variables.

Method: Fifty-six untrained women (40.2 ± 16.3 years) started the protocol at a cadence of 85 beats per minute (b.min^-1) for 3 min with subsequent increments of 15 b.min^-1every 2 min until exhaustion.

Results: There was no difference in the HR, VO₂, %HR_max, %VO_2max and CAD related to AT between the HRDP and the VT methods. Moreover, significant relationships were found between the methods to determine the AT (r=0.61-0.95).

Conclusions: In conclusion, the HRDP method may be an accurate predictor of AT in untrained women performing the water-based stationary running maximal test.