Maximal accumulated oxygen deficit is influenced by chronological age and is related to intensity of VO2PEAK

Purpose This study aimed to verify the influence of chronological age on maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD) and the correlations with maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2PEAK ) and intensity (vVO 2PEAK ). Methods Thirty-one male athletes underwent an incremental exercise test involving 10 submaximal efforts (50–95% of velocity corresponding to VO 2PEAK [vVO 2PEAK ]) and one supramaximal effort at 110% of vVO 2PEAK to determine MAOD. We analyzed a combined group ( n = 31) and two groups according to age (G1 = 15.5 ± 0.5; G2 = 36.0 ± 7.9 years). Results The values of absolute VO 2PEAK (4.3 ± 0.4 L·min −1 ) and vVO 2PEAK (15.9 ± 1.7 km·h −1 ) were higher in G2 than those in G1 (3.5 ± 0.3 L·min −1 ; 14.6 ± 0.9 km·h −1 ). Individuals in G1 had absolute and relative values of MAOD (2.4 ± 0.7 L; 35.1 ± 11.1 mL·kg −1 ) lower than those in G2 (3.9 ± 0.9 L; 46.8 ± 10.9 mL·kg −1 ). Correlations between MAOD and performance during the experimental protocol were tested; VO 2PEAK and vVO 2PEAK yielded correlations with performance ( n = 31; r = 0.56; r = 0.60). Moreover, when corrected for chronological age, we detected correlations between absolute and relative values of MAOD and VO 2PEAK ( r = 0.42; r = 0.61) and vVO 2PEAK ( r = 0.43; r = 0.56). Conclusions The MAOD is influenced by chronological age and is related to VO 2PEAK and vVO 2PEAK independent of age.