Purpose: The best approach to obtain the maximum development of the oxygen consumption at ventilatory thresholds 1 (VO2VT1) and 2 (VO2VT2) and maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) remains poorly understood. The purpose was to determine whether the ventilatory-threshold position (VO2VT1 and VO2VT2 relative to VO2max [%VO2maxVT1 and %VO2maxVT2, respectively]) before training was associated with the improvement with training in VO2VT1 and VO2VT2 (Delta VO2VT1 and Delta VO2VT2). Additionally, we sought to determine whether VO2VT1 and VO2VT2 before training were associated with Delta VO2VT1 and Delta VO2VT2. Methods: Fourteen males (20 [1.9] y, 68.6 [1.9] kg, 70.9 [5.5] mL·kg-1·min-1) performed a ramp incremental test until fatigue, where VT1 and VT2 were determined, before and after the first 3-month mesocycle of the season. Results: Delta VO2VT1 was inversely correlated with %VO2maxVT1 before training (r = -.584, P = .028) and Delta VO2VT2 with %VO2maxVT2 before training (r = -.54, P = .046). By contrast, Delta VO2VT1 was not correlated with VO2VT1 before training (r = -.497, P = .071), nor Delta VO2VT2 with VO2VT2 before training (r = -.091, P = .758). Conclusion: Individuals with a lower threshold position before training had a greater improvement with training in oxygen uptake at thresholds, regardless of the specific oxygen uptake at thresholds before training. It seems that VO2max limits the improvements in VO2VT1 and VO2VT2 in individuals with a higher %VO2maxVT1 and %VO2maxVT2 before training (ceiling effect of VO2max on VO2VT1 and VO2VT2). As a practical application, we can say that the threshold with a lower position (ie, lower %VO2maxVT1 or %VO2maxVT2) should be prioritized, independent of the oxygen consumption at thresholds (VO2VT1 or VO2VT2).
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