DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6325734
title: Graded Incremental Test Data (Cycling, Running, Kayaking, Rowing): an open access dataset

description: Section 1:  Introduction

 

Brief overview of dataset contents:



Current database contains anonymised data collected during exercise testing services performed on male and female participants (cycling, rowing, kayaking and running) provided by the Human Performance Laboratory, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.   

835 graded incremental exercise test files (285 cycling, 266 rowing / kayaking, 284 running)

Description file with each row representing a test file - COLUMNS: file name (AXXX), sport (cycling, running, rowing or kayaking)

Anthropometric data of participants by sport (age, gender, height, body mass, BMI, skinfold thickness,% body fat, lean body mass and haematological data; namely, haemoglobin concentration (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), red blood cell (RBC) count and white blood cell (WBC) count )

Test data (HR, VO2 and lactate data) at rest and across a range of exercise intensities

Derived physiological indices quantifying each individual’s endurance profile


 

Following a request from athletes seeking assessment by phone or e-mail the test protocol, risks, benefits and test and medical requirements, were explained verbally or by return e-mail. Subsequently, an appointment for an exercise assessment was arranged following the regulatory reflection period (7 days). Following this regulatory period each participant’s verbal consent was obtained pre-test, for participants under 18 years of age parent / guardian consent was obtained in writing. Ethics approval was obtained from the Faculty of Health Sciences ethics committee and all testing procedures were performed in compliance with Declaration of Helsinki guidelines.

 

All consenting participants were required to attend the laboratory on one occasion in a rested, carbohydrate loaded and well-hydrated state, and for male participants’ clean shaven in the facial region. All participants underwent a pre-test medical examination, including assessment of resting blood pressure, pulmonary function testing and haematological (Coulter Counter Act Diff, Beckmann Coulter, CA,US) review performed by a qualified medical doctor prior to exercise testing. Any person presenting with any cardiac abnormalities, respiratory difficulties, symptoms of cold or influenza, musculoskeletal injury that could impair performance, diabetes, hypertension, metabolic disorders, or any other contra-indicatory symptoms were excluded. In addition, participants completed a medical questionnaire detailing training history, previous personal and family health abnormalities, recent illness or injury, menstrual status for female participants, as well as details of recent travel and current vaccination status, and current medications, supplements and allergies. Barefoot height in metre (Holtain, Crymych, UK), body mass (counter balanced scales) in kilogram (Seca, Hamburg, Germany) and skinfold thickness in millimetre using a Harpenden skinfold caliper (Bath International, West Sussex, UK) were recorded pre-exercise.

 

Section 2: Testing protocols 

 

2.1: Cycling

 

A continuous graded incremental exercise test (GxT) to volitional exhaustion was performed on an electromagnetically braked cycle ergometer (Lode Excalibur Sport, Groningen, The Netherlands). Participants initially identified a cycling position in which they were most comfortable by adjusting saddle height, saddle fore-aft position relative to the crank axis, saddle to handlebar distance and handlebar height. Participant’s feet were secured to the ergometer using their own cycling shoes with cleats and accompanying pedals. The protocol commenced with a 15-min warm-up at a workload of 120 Watt (W), followed by a 10-min rest. The GxT began with a 3-min stationary phase for resting data collection, followed by an active phase commencing at a workload of 100 or 120 W for female and male participants, respectively, and subsequently increasing by a 20, 30 or  40 W incremental increase every 3-min depending on gender and current competition category. During assessment participants maintained a constant self-selected cadence chosen during their warm-up (permitted window was 5 rev.min−1 within a permitted absolute range of 75 to 95 rev.min−1) and the test was terminated when a participant was no longer able to maintain a constant cadence.

 

Heart rate (HR) data were recorded continuously by radio-telemetry using a Cosmed HR monitor (Cosmed, Rome, Italy). During the test, blood samples were collected from the middle finger of the right hand at the end of the second minute of each 3-min interval. The fingertip was cleaned to remove any sweat or blood and lanced using a long point sterile lancet (Braun, Melsungen, Germany). The blood sample was collected into a heparinised capillary tube (Brand, Wertheim, Germany) by holding the tube horizontal to the droplet and allowing transfer by capillary action. Subsequently, a 25μL aliquot of whole blood was drawn from the capillary tube using a YSI syringepet (YSI, OH, USA) and added into the chamber of a YSI 1500 Sport lactate analyser (YSI, OH, USA) for determination of non-lysed [Lac] in mmol.L−1. The lactate analyser was calibrated to the manufacturer’s requirements (± 0.05 mmol.L−1) before each test using a standard solution (YSI, OH, USA) of known concentration (5 mmol.L−1) and analyser linearity was confirmed using either a 15 or 30 mmol.L-1 standard solution (YSI, OH, USA).

 

Gas exchange variables including respiration rate (Rf in breaths.min-1), minute ventilation (VE in L.min-1), oxygen consumption (VO2 in L.min-1 and in mL.kg-1.min-1) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2 in L.min-1), were measured on a breath-by-breath basis throughout the test, using a cardiopulmonary exercise testing unit (CPET) and an associated software package (Cosmed, Rome, Italy). Participants wore a face mask (Hans Rudolf, KA, USA) which was connected to the CPET unit. The metabolic unit was calibrated prior to each test using ambient air and an alpha certified gas mixture containing 16% O2, 5% CO2 and 79% N2 (Cosmed, Rome, Italy). Volume calibration was performed using a 3L gas calibration syringe (Cosmed, Rome, Italy). Barometric pressure recorded by the CPET was confirmed by recording barometric pressure using a laboratory grade barometer.

 

Following testing mean HR and mean VO2 data at rest and during each exercise increment were computed and tabulated over the final minute of each 3-min interval. A graphical plot of [Lac], mean VO2 and mean HR versus cycling workload was constructed and analysed to quantify physiological endurance indices, see Data Analysis section. Data for VO2 peak in L.min-1 (absolute) and in mL.kg-1.min-1 (relative) and VE peak in L.min-1 were reported as the peak data recorded over any 10 consecutive breaths recorded during the last minute of the final exercise increment.

 

2.2:       Running protocol

 

A continuous graded incremental exercise test (GxT) to volitional exhaustion was performed on a motorised treadmill (Powerjog, Birmingham, UK). The running protocol, performed at a gradient of 0%, commenced with a 15-min warm-up at a velocity (km.h-1) which was lower than the participant’s reported typical weekly long run (>60 min) on-road training velocity. Subsequently, the warm-up was followed by a 10 minute rest / dynamic stretching phase. From a safety perspective during all running GxT participants wore a suspended lightweight safety harness to minimise any potential falls risk. The GxT began with a 3-min stationary phase for resting data collection, followed by an active phase commencing at a sub-maximal running velocity which was lower than the participant’s reported typical weekly long run (>60 min) on-road training velocity, and subsequently increased by ≥ 1 km.h-1 every 3-min depending on gender and current competition category. The test was terminated when a participant was no longer able to maintain the imposed treadmill.

 

Measurement variables, equipment and pre-test calibration procedures, timing and procedure for measurement of selected variables and subsequent data analysis were as outlined in Section 2.1.

 

2.3:       Rowing / kayaking protocol

 

A discontinuous graded incremental exercise test (GxT) to volitional exhaustion was performed on a Concept 2C rowing ergometer (Concept, VA, US) in rowers or a Dansprint kayak ergometer (Dansprint, Hvidovre, Denmark) in flat-water kayakers. The protocol commenced with a 15-min low-intensity warm-up at a workload (W) dependent on gender, sport and competition category, followed by a 10-min rest. For rowing the flywheel damping (120, 125 or 130W) was set dependent on gender and competition category. For kayaking the bungee cord tension was adjusted by individual participants to suit their requirements. A discontinuous protocol of 3-min exercise at a targeted load followed by a 1-min rest phase to facilitate stationary earlobe capillary blood sample collection and resetting of ergometer display (Dansprint ergometer) was used. The GxT began with a 3-min stationary phase for resting data collection, followed by an active phase commencing at a sub-maximal load 80 to 120 W for rowing, 50 to 90 W for kayaking and subsequently increased by 20,30 or 40 W every 3-min depending on gender, sport and current competition category. The test was terminated when a participant was no longer able to maintain the targeted workload. 

Measurement variables, equipment and pre-test calibration procedures, timing and procedure for measurement of selected variables and subsequent data analysis were as outlined in Section 2.1.

 

3.1:       Data analysis

 

Constructed graphical plots (HR, VO2 and [Lac] versus load / velocity) were analysed to quantify the following; load / velocity at TLac, HR at TLac, [Lac] at TLac, % of VO2 peak at TLac, % of HRmax at TLac, load / velocity and HR at a nominal [Lac] of 2 mmol.L-1,  load / velocity, VO2 and [Lac} at a nominal HR of 160 beats.min-1. Load at TLac was determined using segmental regression analysis. Two linear segments were plotted that minimised the squared sum of the residuals between the plotted points and best fit lines. The intersection of these the two linear segments was defined as the relevant breakpoint or threshold, (Raleigh et al. 2018. Int J Exerc Sci, 11, 391-403.

 

4.1:       Terms of Use

 

The attached database is provided as a research or educational asset / tool for coach, athlete and exercise science / exercise medicine education and usage only.