Fig. 1

Each participant underwent one incremental (INC) cardiopulmonary exercise test on a cycle ergometer (A) and three constant work rate (CWR) tests at low, moderate, and high intensities in random order. Immediate evaluation of EPOC and blood lactate concentration (BLa) through venous blood sampling were conducted after each CWR test (B). C shows the high-intensity CWR test conducted during one of the actual experimental measurements. The OC represents oxygen consumption during exercise, whereas the EPOC represents excessive postexercise oxygen consumption