Relationship between the talk test and ventilatory threshold during stochastic exercise

Abstract

Previous studies with a variety of populations have demonstrated that the ventilatory threshold is closely associated with the highest exercise intensity at which subjects may speak comfortably, the Talk Test (TT). These studies have all been conducted using incremental exercise sessions rather than stochastic exercise sessions. In this study, the relationship between the TT and ventilatory threshold during stochastic exercise was evaluated. Subjects @J=18) performed incremental exercise with gas exchange to define VT. Following the initial test, subjects performed the same incremental test with the TT (Pledge of Allegiance). The last two tests were 30-minute stochastic exercise sessions with gas exchange and then with the TT. The subjects ability to speak during stochastic exercise matched expected responses relatively well: (vs VO2 as %VT, 73%), (vs V02 at last positive (LP) stage of the TT, 75%), (vs HR at VT, 69%), (vs HR at LP, 66%), (vs Br at VT, 51%), and (vs Brat LP, 39%). The results suggest that the TT is a good measure of intensity during stochastic exercise, although not as good as predicted from previous studies based on incremental exercise.