Abstract
Introduction
A customized submaximal exercise test for cycle ergometry was reported as a superior estimate of maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) in comparison to the traditional YMCA ergometry test.
Purpose
Following similar methodology, we sought to validate a customized submaximal treadmill test (CustomTM) compared with the widely used Bruce submaximal protocol.
Methods
Participants (29 women and 21 men; age = 31.37 ± 11.44 year, BMI = 24.02 ± 3.03) performed a graded exercise test (GXT) with a subsequent exhaustive, square-wave bout for the verification of “true” VO2max. In counterbalanced order, subjects then completed submaximal protocols. The CustomTM protocol consisted of two 3-min stages estimated at 35 and 70% of VO2max, where VO2max was estimated with a linear regression equation utilizing sex, BMI, age, and self-reported physical activity.
Results
VO2 values from the GXT and verification bout were 47.2 ± 7.7 and 47.0 ± 7.7 ml kg−1 min−1, respectively (ICC = 0.99, CV = 2.0%, TE = 0.83 ml kg−1 min−1), with the highest value used as “true” VO2max (47.7 ± 7.7 ml kg−1 min−1). Neither the Bruce (45.95 ± 6.97 ml kg−1 min−1) nor the CustomTM (47.3 ± 9.4 ml kg−1 min−1) protocol differed from “true” VO2max. The CustomTM had a “very large” measurement agreement with “true” VO2max (ICC = 0.78, CV of 9.1%, TE = 4.07 ml kg−1 min−1). Bruce had a “large” measurement agreement with “true” VO2max (ICC = 0.62, CV of 10.0%, TE = 4.51 ml kg−1 min−1).
Conclusion
The CustomTM was superior to the Bruce protocol, because it included a stage below and above gas exchange threshold, yielded a better measurement agreement for “true” VO2max, and was more time efficient.
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CS, RP, LK, NJ, CH, and CP conceived and designed the research, collected the data, analyzed the data, and wrote the manuscript. All authors read and approved the manuscript.
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Communicated by Jean-René Lacour.
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Strom, C.J., Pettitt, R.W., Krynski, L.M. et al. Validity of a customized submaximal treadmill protocol for determining VO2max. Eur J Appl Physiol 118, 1781–1787 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-3908-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-3908-x