A comparison of a continuous protocol and a protocol with a performance break for the measurement of VO₂ maximum

The purpose of this study was to compare the vo2 maximum measurements obtained by using an interrupted treadmill protocol (Maksud Protocol) with those values obtained by using a protocol that included a two-minute performance break. A secondary purpose was to assess subject preference for one or the other protocol. Eleven healthy endurance trained male athletes whose mean age was 24.1 years, volunteered as subjects. Subjects were randomly assigned to Group I or Group II. Group I performed the Maksud Protocol first and the Alternate Protocol one week later. Group II performed the Alternate Protocol first and the Maksud Protocol the next week. The major findings were as follows: 1. There was no significant difference between the vo2 maximum measures obtained by using the Maksud Protocol and those obtained using the Alternate Protocol. 2. There was no significant difference in the subjects' expressed preference for the Maksud Protocol and of the Alternate Protocol.