The effects of recreational sport on VO_2peak, VO₂ kinetics and submaximal exercise performance in males and females

The purpose of the present study was to examine changes in VO _2peak, VO₂ kinetics and steady-state exercise performance following 4 weeks of participation in recreational sport. Subjects (male n = 8, female n = 9) participated in recreational sport (basketball, floor hockey and soccer) four times per week for 4 weeks. Both before and after training, VO _2peak was measured on a cycle ergometer, VO₂ kinetics was determined as the average of three transitions to 80 W, and heart rate (HR) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were measured during 60 min at a work rate corresponding to 50 % of pre-training VO_2peak. HR was also monitored during all training sessions. After training, VO_2peak was increased in females, but not males, while VO₂ kinetics (τVO₂) were sped in both males and females. HR during constant load exercise was reduced in both males and females, but exercise RER was only reduced in females. Mean HR during participation in sport was higher in males than females and higher during basketball than both floor hockey and soccer. These results demonstrate that training adaptations traditionally associated with endurance exercise can also be obtained through regular participation in recreational sport.