Purpose: The purposes of this study were: i) to compare the physiological responses measured during a specific table tennis incremental test with the physiological responses measured during cycling, arm cranking, and treadmill running tests; and ii) to verify the accuracy of table tennis performance prediction based on the physiological responses from these tests. Methods: Eleven national level male table tennis players participated in the study and undertook incremental tests using ergometers. Table tennis performance was defined as the ranking obtained during a simulated tournament between the participants. Results: In general, peak values for physiological variables (e.g., VO2PEAK and [La]PEAK) were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the specific test (e.g., VO2PEAK = 39.9 ± 1.5 ml·kg-1 per minute and [La]PEAK = 6.4 ± 0.5 mmol·L-1) than during cycling (e.g., VO2PEAK = 41.3 ± 1.4 ml·kg-1 per minute and [La]PEAK = 10.2 ± 0.7 mmol·L-1) or running (e.g., VO2PEAK = 43.9 ± 1.5 ml·kg-1 per minute and [La]PEAK = 10.0 ± 0.7 mmol·L-1), but higher than during arm cranking (e.g., VO2PEAK = 26.6 ± 1.6 ml·kg-1 per minute and [La]PEAK = 8.9 ± 0.6 mmol·L-1). At respiratory compensation point intensity (RCP), only the variables measured on arm cranking were lower (P < 0.05) than on the other ergometers. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed significant correlation between table tennis performance and lactate concentration ([La]) and also rate of perceived effort (RPE) at RCP during cycling (r = 0.89; P < 0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, the significant differences obtained between the specific and laboratory ergometers demonstrate the need to use a specific test to measure physiological parameters in table tennis and the physiological parameters measured, independent of the ergometer used, are unable to predict table tennis performance.
© Copyright 2014 Science & Sports. Elsevier. All rights reserved.