A New Mathematical Method for the Estimation of Aerobic Threshold in Sports Physiology

The aim of this study was to determine the aerobic threshold by means of the maximum distance method (Dmax) based on heart rate performance curve (HRPC) in active young men.

For this purpose, in a laboratory trial, 35 active young men (Age 22.03 ± 2.20 years, Height 176.26 ± 6.65 cm, Weight 68.94 ± 9.56 kg and body fat 17.8 ± 3.41%) were selected on a targeted basis as subjects and executed the Conconi standard protocol. The aerobic threshold of the subjects was determined by means of criterion method (respiratory gas analysis) and maximum distance model based on HRPC. Bland–Altman plots, Intraclass Correlation Coefficient and Paired Sample T-test were used for data analysis.  

The aerobic threshold of all of the subjects was obtained by the means of the HRPC using the method of Dmax. However, supplementary results revealed that moderate agreement exist between two methods (±1.96; CI = 95%, -35.9 to +32.8 b/min). Similarly, significant but moderate Intraclass Correlations observed (ICC= 0.312), while there was no significant differences exists between two methods (p= 0.599).

The application of the Dmax method based on HRPC model in predicting of the aerobic threshold gives us relatively good results. Therefore, the HRPC model can be useful method for predicting the aerobic threshold.