Validation of the Italian Version of the Talk Test for Determining Exercise Intensity.

PURPOSE: To validate the Italian version of the Talk Test (TT) for determining exercise intensity. METHODS: Fourteen recreational-level athletes performed 2 graded exercise tests: one in which respiratory gas exchange was measured to determine ventilatory (VT) and respiratory compensation thresholds (RCT), and one incorporating the Italian version of the TT. In TT, subjects read the Italian Olympic Oath during the final 30 seconds of each stage, while heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and speed were recorded. The last stage at which subjects could speak comfortably was defined as the last positive stage (LP), uncertainty about speaking comfortably as the equivocal stage (EQ), and inability to speak comfortably as the negative stage (NEG). Repeated-measures analysis of variance compared HR, RPE, speed at LP, EQ, and NEG, VT, and RCT. Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and Bland-Altman plots analyzed the relationship and agreement between Italian version of the TT and test variables. RESULTS: No differences emerged between LP and VT for HR, RPE, and speed. Significant correlations between VT and LP were found in HR (r = .736, P = .003) and speed (r = .921, P < .001). NEG values did not differ from RCT and showed significant correlations with HR (r = .732, P = .003), RPE (r = .842, P < .001), and speed (r = .986, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The Italian version of the TT provides valid estimates of VT and RCT, particularly at LP and NEG stages in recreational-level athletes.