ECG-ST level, maximal oxygen uptake, and ventilatory threshold during treadmill exercise test in athletes and non-athletes.

In order to define the relationships between ECG-ST level, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max), and ventilatory threshold (VT), the treadmill running test was carried out in a symptom-limited manner by increasing the speed and gradient gradually. The ECG-V5ST level, O2 consumption (VO2), and minute ventilation (VE) were successively monitored with cardiorespiratory capacity-measuring equipment in 21 athletes and 10 non-athletes. There was no significant correlation between the lowest ST level and % VO2 max. However, a significant correlation was observed between the lowest ST level and the ratio of VO2 value at the lowest ST level to that at the VT point in both groups. Namely, the ST level showed a tendency to depress maximally after the exercise stress passed over the VT point, with a deeper depression in non-athletes. These preliminary results suggest that we should be careful of the cardiac condition when exercise stress over the VT point is loaded on both athletes and non-athletes.