Validity of 3 Protocols for Verifying VO_2max

Abstract

The verification bout has emerged as a technique for confirming ‘true’ VO_2max; however, validity during a single visit is unknown. We evaluated 3 different GXT durations with severe intensity verification bouts. On 3 separate days, in counterbalanced order, 12 recreational-trained men completed short (9±1 min), middle (11±1 min), and long (13±2 min) duration GXTs followed by exhaustive, sine wave verification bouts during the same visit. Intensities for verification were set at speeds equivalent to 2-stages minus end-GXT speed. No differences (p<0.05) in VO_2max (mL/kg/min) were observed between short (49.1), middle (48.2), and long (48.8) protocols. In addition, no differences in verification bout duration occurred between protocols (3±1 min). Validity of VO_2max was strongest for the middle duration protocol (ICC α=0.97; typical error=1 mL/kg/min; CV=2%). A small, but significantly higher HR_max (∼1–2 bpm) was observed for the long protocol. Maximum respiratory exchange ratios were inconsistent (ICC α ranged 0.58–0.68). Our findings indicate GXT-verification bout testing during a single visit is a valid means of measuring ‘true’ VO_2max. The 10 min target for GXT duration was the optimum.

Key words

graded exercise - oxygen uptake - treadmill - verification bout

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