Comparing Cardiopulmonary Functions of National Race Walkers by Walking and Running during Graded Exercise Testing

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify a sport-specific assessment for elite race-walking athletes by comparing physiological responses between walking and running graded exercise test (GXT) protocols.METHODS: Six elite race-walking athletes completed both walking and running protocols in a randomized crossover design with 1 week interval between trials. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), ventilation (VE), and heart rate (HR) were measured throughout and after each trial, and blood lactate levels were collected during the recovery period.RESULTS: There were significant differences in VO2max, VE, and HR values between the walking and running protocols (p<.001). During the recovery period, VO2max, VE, HR, and blood lactate levels were significantly different in each measurement (p<.001); however, there was no difference between the walking and running protocols.CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, both the walking and running GXT protocols were inappropriate for assessing elite racewalking athletes. This study suggests that a supplement GXT protocol is required to specifically assess elite race-walking athletes.