<b>Characterization of the heart rate curve during a maximum incremental test on a treadmill</b>. DOI: 10.5007/1980-0037.2011v13n4p285

• Main Authors: Eduardo Marcel Fernandes Nascimento (Author), Adriano Eduardo Lima Silva (Author), Romulo Cassio de Moraes Bertuzzi (Author), Maria Augusta Peduti Dal Molin Kiss (Author), Flavio Oliveira Pires (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, 2011-08-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 1415-8426; 1980-0037
• Keywords: Boltzmann sigmoidal model; Ergometry; Exercise test; Physical exertion; Heart rate.; Sports; GV557-1198.995; Medicine (General); R5-920
• Source: Revista Brasileira de Cineantropometria e Desempenho Humano, Vol 13, Iss 4, Pp 285-291 (2011)

The objective of this study was to analyze the heart rate (HR) profile plotted against incremental workloads (IWL) during a treadmill test using three mathematical models [linear, linear with 2 segments (Lin2), and sigmoidal], and to determine the best model for the identification of the HR threshold that could be used as a predictor of ventilatory thresholds (VT1 and VT2). Twenty-two men underwent a treadmill incremental test (retest group: n=12) at an initial speed of 5.5 km.h-1, with increments of 0.5 km.h-1 at 1-min intervals until exhaustion. HR and gas exchange were continuously measured and subsequently converted to 5-s and 20-s averages, respectively. The best model was chosen based on residual sum of squares and mean square error. The HR/IWL ratio was better fitted with the Lin2 model in the test and retest groups (p<0.05). The Lin2 model permitted the identification of the HR threshold (Lin2HRDP) in all subjects of the test (164 ± 16.6 bpm; 83.6% HRMAX) and retest groups (162 ± 20.0 bpm; 83.9% HRMAX). Lin2HRDP (9.2 ± 1.3 km.h-1; 67.9% speedMAX) was lower than VT2 (10.6 ± 1.5 km.h-1, 77.3% speedMAX; p<0.05), but did not differ from VT1 (8.4 ± 1.2 km.h-1, 61.6% speedMAX; p>0.05). During a treadmill incremental test, the HR/IWL ratio seems to be better fitted with a Lin2 model, which permits to determine the HR threshold that coincides with VT1.