Comparison Of Two Independent Measures Of Anaerobic Capacity In Women And Men

Maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD) is the gold standard measure of anaerobic capacity. A proposed alternative to MAOD is ‘MAOD_alt’, which is based on post-exercise measures. While MAOD requires multiple tests to evaluate anaerobic capacity, MAOD_alt requires a single exhaustive test. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if MAOD_alt is a valid measure of anaerobic capacity in women and men during cycling ergometer exercise. METHODS: Seven women (Mean ± SD, age 24 ± 3 y, height 166 ± 9 cm, weight 64 ± 13 kg) and nine men (22 ± 2 y, 185 ± 9 cm, 74 ± 10 kg) performed a constant power, severe intensity, cycle ergometer test. MAOD was calculated using published methods, as the difference between the estimated oxygen cost and the aerobic contribution. MAOD_alt was calculated as the sum of glycolytic contribution (from post-exercise blood lactate concentrations) and the phosphocreatine contribution (from the post exercise VO2 response). Values for MAOD and MAOD_alt were compared via a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA; Method x Sex), post hoc t-tests (significance at p < 0.05), and Pearson correlation tests. RESULTS: Results from the two-way ANOVA revealed a significant interaction effect between sex and measures of anaerobic capacity (p = 0.031). In women, MAOD_alt was not different from MAOD (post hoc, p = 0.07), correlation, r = 0.71 (p = 0.07). In men, MAOD_alt was not different from MAOD (post hoc, p = 0.29), correlation, r = 0.95 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: MAOD_alt is valid in this group of women and men.