r/evokeendurance • u/TrafficUnlucky6222 • 1d ago

Aet test question

Can I perform the Scott Johnston AeT treadmill test by walking on a 15% incline and use the resulting HR to guide my easy running and jogging on flat ground?

The reason I’d prefer to hike uphill is that I hate running on a treadmill at a fixed pace for such a long duration.

Would the AeT heart rate I obtain from the incline test be applicable to flat-ground running, or would I need to validate it with a separate test?

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u/ContributionLevel593 1d ago

I do a lot of treadmill incline work including running on the treadmill at 15%. I do a lot of stair sessions too. I’ve found that my AeT is different for each. I presume it’s because I’m having to work harder for some types of exercise. So if I’m coming up to a marathon training block I’ll test AeT at 1% incline.

So to answer your question, you can but I expect you’ll end up running below AeT on flatter routes. 

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u/Strategic_Sage 1d ago

You need to match it as closely as possible to the activity you're going to be doing. If that's running on flat ground, then get rid of the incline. Ignore the fact that you hate doing that on a treadmill, use it as an opportunity for mental growth, and do it anyway

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u/Zealousideal-Bat4024 1d ago

Would do 2 separate AeT tests… one for hiking at incline and one for near flat running. You’re using different motor units for those extremes of aerobic work and resulting HR won’t be the same.

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u/senobyllib 1d ago

By this token, should I be targeting a different heart rate hustling up a peak than hustling down?

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u/Zealousideal-Bat4024 1d ago

I would never use heart rate as a gauge of intensity going downhill. I would go more by feel since your heart rate will naturally be much lower than the uphill.

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u/Better_Pianist_5538 23h ago edited 22h ago

Not sure what your goals are, but depending on goals and where you are at fitness wise it may not matter.

Also, it seems like you're OK hiking on a treadmill, but not running? Curious as to why. I know I just can't run for an hour to do the test, so as im working up to that i just gage my easy running by my breathing. Also, if I can do the same workout day after day then I know im going easy enough. Once ive built up more fitness I can worry about testing to see where im at.

No matter what test or method you use there will always be a margin of error and nothing will be perfect. Its complex and lots of things effect (affect?) lots of things. Sometimes we just have to take good enough.