Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2013; 34(12): 1058-1062
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1341436
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Analysis of Square-wave Bouts to Verify VO2max

D. Sedgeman
1   Department of Human Performance, Minnesota State University, Mankato, United States
,
L. Dalleck
2   Human Performance, Minnesota State University, Mankato, United States
,
I. E. Clark
3   Viola Holbrook Human Performance Research Laboratory, Minnesota State University, Mankato, United States
,
N. Jamnick
3   Viola Holbrook Human Performance Research Laboratory, Minnesota State University, Mankato, United States
,
R. W. Pettitt
4   Kinesiology, California State University, Fresno, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 24 February 2013

Publication Date:
05 June 2013 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Submaximal and supramaximal square-wave bouts have been reported to consistently verify ‘true’ VO2max. Although a direct comparison between both protocols exists, knowledge on the statistical consistency between the protocols using the same group of participants is lacking. The purpose of this study was to conduct an analysis of the submaximal and supramaximal verification bout performed shortly subsequent to a graded exercise test (GXT). On 2 separate occasions, 6 males and 7 females (age: 29±9 years) completed a GXT protocol and an exhaustive, square-wave bout at either end-GXT power minus 2-stages or 105% end-GXT power. No differences (p>0.05) in VO2max were observed between the GXT and square-wave bouts. The typical error (ml/kg/min) for submaximal (1.09) and supramaximal (1.04) trials was similar. Likewise, similar relative measures of consistency were observed for the submaximal (ICC α=0.97, CV=2.4%) and supramaximal trials (ICC α=0.95, CV=2.3%). For a GXT lasting ~10–12 min, the submaximal or supramaximal protocols appear to be equally effective.

Key words

gas exchange threshold - graded exercise test - extreme domain - constant load exercise - VO2max - verification bout
 

  • References

  • 1 American College of Sports Medicine . ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Williams; 2010: 158
    Google Scholar
  • 2 Astorino TA. Alterations in VO2max and the VO2 plateau with manipulation of sampling interval. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging 2009; 29: 60-67
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Astorino TA, White AC, Dalleck LC. Supramaximal testing to confirm attainment of VO2max in sedentary men and women. Int J Sports Med 2009; 30: 279-284
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Bentley DJ, Newell J, Bishop D. Incremental exercise test design and analysis: implications for performance diagnostics in endurance athletes. Sports Med 2007; 37: 575-586
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Borg G. Perceived exertion as an indicator of somatic stress. Scand J Rehabil Med 1970; 2: 92-98
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Dalleck LC, Astorino TA, Erickson RM, McCarthy CM, Beadell AA, Botten BH. Suitability of verification testing to confirm attainment of VO2max in middle-aged and older adults. Res Sports Med 2012; 20: 118-128
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Day JR, Rossiter HB, Coats EM, Skasick A, Whipp BJ. The maximally attainable VO2 during exercise in humans: the peak vs. maximum issue. J Appl Physiol 2003; 95: 1901-1907
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Gaesser GA, Poole DC. The slow component of oxygen uptake kinetics in humans. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 24: 35-70
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 George JD, Stone WJ, Burkett LN. Non-exercise VO2max estimation for physically active college students. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1997; 29: 415-423
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Harriss DJ, Atkinson G. Update – Ethical Standards in Sport and Exercise Science Research. Int J Sports Med 2011; 32: 819-821
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Hawkins MN, Raven PB, Snell PG, Stray-Gundersen J, Levine BD. Maximal oxygen uptake as a parametric measure of cardiorespiratory capacity. Med Sci Sport Exerc 2007; 39: 103-107
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Hill AV, Lupton H. Muscular exercise, lactic acid, and the supply and utilization of oxygen. Q J Med 1923; 16: 135-171
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Hill DW, Poole DC, Smith JC. The relationship between power and the time to achieve VO2max . Med Sci Sports Exerc 2002; 34: 709-714
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Hopkins WG. Measures of reliability in sports medicine and science. Sports Med 2000; 30: 1-15
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Howley ET, Bassett DR, Welch HG. Criteria for maximal oxygen uptake: review and commentary. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1995; 27: 1292-1301
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Jackson AS, Blair SN, Mahar MT, Wier LT, Ross RM, Stuteville JE. Prediction of functional aerobic capacity without exercise testing. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1990; 22: 863-870
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Johnson TM, Sexton PJ, Placek AM, Murray SR, Pettitt RW. Reliability analysis of the 3-min all-out exercise test for cycle ergometry. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2011; 43: 2375-2380
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Jones AM, Vanhatalo A, Burnley M, Morton RH, Poole DC. Critical power: implications for the determination of VO2max and exercise tolerance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2010; 42: 1876-1890
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Kirkeberg JM, Dalleck LC, Kamphoff CS, Pettitt RW. Validity of 3 protocols for verifying VO2max . Int J Sports Med 2011; 32: 266-270
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Levine BD. VO2max: what do we know, and what do we still need to know?. J Physiol 2008; 586: 25-34
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Midgley AW, McNaughton LR, Carroll S. Verification phase as a useful tool in the determination of the maximal oxygen uptake of distance runners. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2006; 31: 541-548
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Midgley AW, McNaughton LR, Polman R, Marchant D. Criteria for determination of maximal oxygen uptake: a brief critique and recommendations for future research. Sports Med 2007; 37: 1019-1028
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Morton RH. Why peak power is higher at the end of steeper ramps: an explanation based on the “critical power” concept. J Sports Sci 2011; 29: 307-309
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Poole DC, Wilkerson DP, Jones AM. Validity of criteria for establishing maximal O2 uptake during ramp exercise tests. Eur J Appl Physiol 2008; 102: 403-410
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Rossiter HB, Kowalchuk JM, Whipp BJ. A test to establish maximum O2 uptake despite no plateau in the O2 uptake response to ramp incremental exercise. J Appl Physiol 2006; 100: 764-770
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Scharhag-Rosenberger F, Carlsohn A, Cassel M, Mayer F, Scharhag J. How to test maximal oxygen uptake: a study on timing and testing procedure of a supramaximal verification test. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2011; 36: 153-160
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Sieverdes JC, Sui X, Lee DC, Timothy SC, Amanda McClain A, Hand GA, Blair SN. Physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness and the incidence of type 2 diabetes in a prospective study of men. Br J Sports Med 2010; 44: 238-244
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Taylor HC, Buskirk E, Henschel A. Maximum oxygen intake as an objective measure of cardiorespiratory fitness. J Appl Physiol 1955; 8: 73-80
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Vanhatalo A, Jones AM. Influence of prior sprint exercise on the parameters of the ‘all-out critical power test’ in man. Exp Physiol 2008; 94: 255-263
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Wood RE, Hills AP, Hunter GR, King NA, Byrne NM. VO2max in overweight and obese adults: do they meet the threshold criteria?. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2010; 42: 470-477
    PubMedGoogle Scholar