Use of the Talk Test to track changes in ventilatory threshold

Abstract

This study was designed to determine whether the Talk Test (TT) would be able to track changes in ventilatory threshold (VT) measures using open-circuit spirometry. The TT is a simple protocol where an individual exercises until they are not able to talk comfortably. Previous studies found that the TT tracks changes in VT after training or donating blood (Foster et al., 2008). In this thesis, a replication study, fourteen healthy individuals were tested before and after six weeks of training or detraining. It was found that there were no significatn difference between the values obtained between the TT and the VO2 at VT. Ventilatory threshold and the equivocal stage (EQ) of the TT were not significantly different. There was no significant difference between baseline exercise time and the training or detraining exercise time. However, there was a significant change in RPE and TRIMP during the study. The results of this study suggest that the TT can be used as a substitute to an objective maximum test to evaluate increasing or decreasing in exercise capacity.