The assumption that oxygen uptake (V̇O2) during ramp incremental (RI) testing can be used to prescribe constant-load exercise poses a few pertinent issues. First, this neglects the V̇O2 kinetics and time delay from the working muscles to the site of V̇O2 measurement, referred to as mean response time (MRT). Accurate estimation of the MRT following a RI test to exhaustion is critical for appropriately time-aligning the V̇O2-to-PO relationship. Furthermore, when using RI data, full expression of the delayed V̇O2 response (i.e., the V̇O2 slow component) makes identifying constant-load exercise above gas exchange threshold (GET) to the critical intensity of exercise (maximum metabolic steady state (MMSS), challenging. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the estimated MRT when performing two step transitions of different intensities, and three different ramp rates. Prior to the RI test, using a step transition within the moderate-intensity domain (MOD), the constant-load V̇O2 at a given PO can optimize the estimation of the MRT. Additionally, through utilizing a heavy step transition (~50-65% peak PO) proceeding RI testing, identification of the V̇O2-PO relationship above GET can be made. This previously investigated approach known as the step-ramp-step (SRS) protocol was further applied and tested within this thesis across slow, moderate, and fast RI tests (15, 30 and 45 W·min-1 ramps) in a larger sample size (n=18). The results demonstrated that using a MOD as low as 50 W can result in accurate estimation of MRT for V̇O2. Additionally, identification of the V̇O2-PO relationship at the critical intensity of exercise was consistent irrespective of RI slope. Finally, the PO identified at GET using the 15 W·min-1 ramp was underestimated in comparison to the 30 and 45 W·min-1 ramps. These findings demonstrate the validity of using the SRS protocol with a smaller amplitude step (50W) different RI slope to accurately identify the V̇O2-PO relationship above the GET based on a moderate, and fast ramp, with some discretion required when using slower increasing ramps.