The objective of this study was to analyze, in triathletes, the possible influence of the exercise mode (running × cycling) on time to exhaustion (TTE) and oxygen uptake (V·O2) response during exercise performed at the intensity associated with the achievement of maximal oxygen uptake (IV·O2max). Eleven male triathletes (21.8 ± 3.8 yr) performed the following tests on different days on a motorized treadmill and on a cycle ergometer: 1) incremental tests in order to determine V·O2max and IV·O2max and, 2) constant work rate tests to exhaustion at IV·O2max to determine TTE and to describe V·O2 response (time to achieve V·O2max - TAV·O2max, and time maintained at V·O2max - TMV·O2max). No differences were found in V·O2max, TTE and TMV·O2max obtained on the treadmill tests (63.7 ± 4.7 ml · kg-1 · min-1; 324.6 ± 109.1 s; 178.9 ± 93.6 s) and cycle ergometer tests (61.4 ± 4.5 ml · kg- 1 · min-1; 390.4 ± 114.4 s; 213.5 ± 102.4 s). However, TAV·O2max was influenced by exercise mode (145.7 ± 25.3 vs. 176.8 ± 20.1 s; in treadmill and cycle ergometer, respectively; p = 0.006). It is concluded that exercise modality affects the TAV·O2max, without influencing TTE and TMV·O2max during exercise at IV·O2max in triathletes.
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