Differences and relationship between velocity attained at VO 2max and time trial performances in Para athletes with vision impairment and their guides

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the relationship and difference between velocity attained at maximal oxygen consumption (vVO_2max) and 1000-m time trials in Para athletes with vision impairment and their guides. This study had seven Para athletes of class T11 (six Paralympic Games medalists and one non-medalist) and seven respective guides who performed an incremental treadmill test and 1000-m time trial on the athletics track. Data normality was checked through the Shapiro-Wilk test, Student t test, and effect size (ES) to compare differences between groups, and the association between vVO_2max and time trial mean velocity (vTT) was made through linear regression. No differences were observed (p = .555, ES: 0.236) in the VO_2max of the T11 athletes (49.29 ± 9.25 ml kg⁻¹ min⁻¹) and their respective guides (51.30 ± 8.92 ml kg⁻¹ min⁻¹), as well as in the vVO_2max (T11 athlete: 18.14 ± 3.53 km h⁻¹, guide: 19.00 ± 2.52 km h⁻¹, p = .585, ES: 0.218) and vTT (T11 athlete: 17.25 ± 3.57 km h⁻¹, guide: 20.12 ± 2.25 km h⁻¹, p = .100, ES: 0.735). However, the linear regression analysis between vVO_2max and vTT revealed a positive and moderate relationship in T11 athletes (R² = 0.684, p < .01) and a very large guide (R² = 0.774, p < .01). The speed reserve of the guide in relation to the T11 athlete was 16%. The results of vTT underestimate the vVO_2max more in guides than in T11 athletes.