Conconi test (1976) is a greatly useful test made during sport, which allows to measure athlete’s aerobic power, even though it doesn’t give information about their aerobic capacity. It might be helpful in the choice of the most profitable competition and training rhythm and in order to estimate changings due to the training itself. The test is based on the following elements: during an exercise O2 consumption increases proportionally to the performance; once the limit of one’s aerobic power is achieved, O2 consumption curve flattens.
This value is the maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) Once achieved the VO2max, working muscles consume nearly 90% of the inhaled oxygen which, at such effort levels, might be even 1000 times more than that used by muscles at rest.
Conconi test is used mainly in endurance sports to establish the capability of making an effort without accumulating lactic acid (aerobic power). Identifying when an athlete starts to accumulate lactic acid is useful for many sports. From a practical point of view, it consists in subjecting the athlete to progressively increasing efforts while measuring their heart beats. Athlete’s speed is also measured by the formula speed= space/time. Obtained data are plotted in a Cartesian graph with the achieved speed on the ascissa and the value of the heart rate at different speeds on the ordinate. Joining the points an ascending line is obtained, rising up to the deflection point. This point indicates the running speed that an athlete can achieve without going into acidosis. A trained athlete will be able to keep such speed even for an hour. The test also gives information about which should be the rhythm of athlete’s training to improve their aerobic power. Passing the speed indicated by the deflection point means passing the aerobic threshold and entering the anaerobic one. That is, when lactic acid production is such that the draining system turns ineffective and accumulation follows. During training these data might be useful depending on the type of effort generally made:
- in case of fast short race (1000m x 10-12; 2000m x 5-6) recommended speed is that included between the anaerobic threshold and a 3% inferior speed (e.g. threshold=20 km/h, training between 20 and 19.4);
- in case of non-stop race at medium rhythm (45-90 minutes) speed should be included between 85% and 90% of anaerobic threshold (according to the previous example, speed should be between 17 and 18 km/h).
Traslated by Manuela Mercurio
Xeno Muller, Olympic gold and silver medalist, indoor rowing, rowing technique.
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