Heavy-intensity priming exercise extends the V̇O2max plateau and increases peak power output during ramp-incremental exercise.

It remains unclear whether priming exercise extends the maximal oxygen uptake (V̇o 2max ) plateau and increases peak-power output (PO peak ) during ramp-incremental (RI) tests. This study demonstrates that a priming exercise, precisely prescribed within the heavy-intensity domain, extends the plateau at V̇o 2max and leads to a greater PO peak . Specifically, the extended V̇o 2max plateau was associated with accelerated RI-V̇o 2 responses.