Heavy-intensity priming exercise extends the V̇o plateau and increases peak-power output during ramp-incremental exercise.

This study investigated whether a heavy-intensity priming exercise precisely prescribed within the heavy-intensity domain would lead to a greater peak-power output (PO) and a longer maximal oxygen uptake (V̇o) plateau. Twelve recreationally active adults participated in this study. Two visits were required: ) a step-ramp-step test [ramp-incremental (RI) control], and ) an RI test preceded by a priming exercise within the heavy-intensity domain (RI primed). A piecewise equation was used to quantify the V̇o plateau duration (V̇o). The mean response time (MRT) was computed during the RI control condition. The delta (Δ) V̇o slope (S; mL·min·W) and V̇o-Y intercept (Y; mL·min) within the moderate-intensity domain between conditions (RI primed minus RI control) were also assessed using a novel graphical analysis. V̇o ( = 0.001; = 1.27) and PO ( = 0.003; = 1.08) were all greater in the RI primed. MRT ( < 0.001; = 2.45) was shorter in the RI primed compared with the RI control. A larger ΔV̇o was correlated with a larger ΔMRT between conditions ( = -0.79; = 0.002). This study demonstrated that heavy-intensity priming exercise lengthened the V̇o and increased PO. The overall faster RI-V̇o responses seem to be responsible for the longer V̇o. Specifically, a shorter MRT, but not changes in RI-V̇o-slopes, was associated with a longer V̇o following priming exercise. It remains unclear whether priming exercise extends the maximal oxygen uptake (V̇o) plateau and increases peak-power output (PO) during ramp-incremental (RI) tests. This study demonstrates that a priming exercise, precisely prescribed within the heavy-intensity domain, extends the plateau at V̇o and leads to a greater PO. Specifically, the extended V̇o plateau was associated with accelerated RI-V̇o responses.