The influence of protocol design on the identification of ventilatory thresholds and the attainment of peak physiological responses during synchronous arm crank ergometry in able-bodied participants.

PO at VTs and peak level was significantly higher in short-stage protocols compared with the 3-min stepwise protocol, whereas HR and VO2 showed no differences. Therefore, training zones based on PO determined in short-stage protocols might give an overestimation. Moreover, due to large random error in HR at VTs between the protocols, it is recommended that different protocols should not be used interchangeably within individuals.