Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between maximal oxygen uptake (Vo(2max)) and repeated sprint ability (RSA) using non-motorised treadmill ergometry.
Methods: Ten male participants (mean [standard deviation] VO(2max): 57.5 [2.1] mL x kg(-1).min(-1)) completed a RSA test (10, 6-s sprints with 34-s recovery) on a non-motorised treadmill. Oxygen consumption (VO(2)) and heart rate (HR) were measured during the RSA test and the decrement of performance fatigue (%(d)) was calculated for the performance indices mean maximal speed (MxSp) and average power output (AvPO).
Results: There were significant relationships between VO(2max) and the %(d) MxSp (r=-0.75, P<0.05) and VO(2max) and the %(d) AvPO (r=-0.69, P<0.05). There were also significant relationships between VO(2max) and HR recovery (r=0.56, P<0.05) and VO(2max) and VO(2) recovery (r=0.7, P<0.01). However, while no significant relationships were reported between HR recovery and %(d) MxSp (r= 0.45, P>0.05) and HR recovery and %(d) AvPO (r=-0.52, P>0.05), significant relationships were observed between VO(2) recovery and %(d) MxSp (r=-0.75, P<0.05) and between VO(2) recovery and %(d) AvPO (r=-0.77, P<0.05).
Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that VO(2max) may be an important factor determining RSA during repeated, high-intensity running-based exercise, such as field hockey, rugby and soccer.