Abstract

The responses of two well-training young adults to submaximum and maximum treadmill exercise have been followed over a four month period. The directly measured VO2 (max) had a coefficient of variation of 5.1 and 6.8 respectively for the two subjects. Changes in aerobic power were unrelated to ambient levels of carbon monoxide, oxidant or other pollutants. Astrand predictions ofaerobic power showed systematic errors of - 16 and +1, while the errors of Maritz predictions were -7 and -2. Since both subjects had low maximum heart rates, predictions were worsened by the use of actual rather than age-related maximum heart rates. Despite the systematic errors, predictions moved in parallel with the direct measurements, with a comparable coefficient of variation (5.2. and 9.7); the simpler sub-maximum tests thus provide a legitimate basis for detecting day-to-day variations in the condition of an athlete. Verf.-Referat