Table 1. Descriptive responses for selected physiological variables and ratings of perceived exertion (mean ± SD) and percentage of increment regarding previous pedalling cadencies stages along the maximal load incremental test.
Pedalling cadence stages
Pedalling cadence (bpm) 100 115 130 145 160 175 190
VO2max (L/min)
∆%		 1.07 (0.18) 1.39 (0.21)*
29.90		 1.73 (0.21)*
24.46		 2.13 (0.22)*
23.12		 2.60 (0.38)*
22.06		 3.24 (0.47)*
24.61		 3.55 (0.48)#
9.57
VO2 (ml/kg/min)
∆%		 14.26 (2.66) 18.50 (3.35)*
29.73		 22.95 (3.36)*
24.05		 28.28 (3.03)*
23.22		 34.42 (4.54)*
21.71		 42.98 (6.85)*
24.86		 46.89 (5.64)#
9.10
VE (L/min)
∆%		 23.17 (5.11) 30.56 (4.70)*
31.89		 40.82 (5.50)*
33.57		 52.20 (5.51)*
27.88		 68.73 (9.79)*
31.66		 97.03 (12.92)*
41.78		 138.57 (13.12)*
42.81
HR (bpm)
∆%		 99.54 (14.98) 105(18)
5.56		 116(23)
10.17		 133(20)*
14.81		 149(21)*
11.98		 162(24)*
8.9		 173(28)*
6.93
BL (mM)
∆%		 1.18 (0.43) 2.68 (1.03)
97.32		 11.15 (2.22)*
88.85		 11.63 (1.63)*
88.37
ACS RPE
∆%		 1.11 (0.33) 2.22 (0.83)*
100		 3.1 (0.78)*
39.64		 4.5 (0.73)*
45.16		 6.22 (0.97)*
32.22		 7.67 (0.71)*
23.31		 9.33 (0.50)*
21.64
Borg Scale RPE
∆%		 7.55 (0.88) 9.33* (0.87)
23.58		 11.33 (1.12)*
21.44		 13.22 (1.20)*
16.68		 15.22 (0.97)*
15.13		 17.00 (0.71)*
11.69		 19.00 (0.71)*
11.76
SD: standard deviation. bpm: beats per minute. ∆%: increment percentage regarding value of the previous stage. The ∆% was calculated with the standard formula: change (%) = [(value of the pedalling cadence stage – value of the previous pedalling cadence stage) / value of the previous pedalling cadence stage] x 100. VO2max: maximum oxygen consumption. VO2: oxygen uptake taking in account bodyweight; VE: pulmonary ventilation. HR: heart rate. BL: blood lactate. RPE: overall body rating perceived exertion from Borg or Aquatic Cycling scales (ACS).*: Significant difference (p < 0.05) regarding value of the previous stage.#: Trend of difference (p= 0.12) regarding previous stage.