Skip to main content
Log in

Modality determines VO2max achieved in self-paced exercise tests: validation with the Bruce protocol

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The Bruce protocol is traditionally used to assess maximal cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), but may have limitations, such as an unknown duration and large work rate increases. The use of self-paced VO2max tests (SPVs) may be beneficial if they are able to elicit similar maximal values in a set period of time. In addition, differences in modality between SPVs have not been explored. The purpose of this study was to compare SPVs, utilizing two different modes, with the Bruce (treadmill) protocol.

Method

Thirteen healthy, recreationally active individuals (eight men, five women) volunteered and participated in three different laboratory visits with each utilizing a different VO2max testing protocol. The first visit consisted of the Bruce protocol test, and the remaining visits entailed a maximal SPV on a treadmill (TM SPV) and a cycle ergometer (CE SPV).

Results

There were no differences in VO2max values between the TM SPV and the Bruce protocol tests (55.6 ± 4.9 vs. 56.2 ± 6.8, respectively; p = .510). As expected, the CE SPV (48.3 ± 7.6) was significantly lower than the other two tests (p < .001).

Conclusion

The TM SPV was as effective in eliciting an accurate VO2max as the Bruce protocol and did so with less incline and in less time suggesting that there are no changes in the limits of VO2max even when the test is self-paced and perceptually regulated.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

ANOVA:

Analysis of Variance

CE:

Cycle ergometer

GXT:

Graded exercise test

HR:

Heart rate

RER:

Respiratory exchange ratio

RPE:

Rating of perceived exertion

SPV:

Self-paced VO2max test

TM:

Treadmill

VCO2 :

Carbon dioxide production

VE:

Minute ventilation

VO2 :

Oxygen consumption

VO2max :

Maximal oxygen consumption

References

  • Ainsworth B, McMurray RG, Veazey SK (1997) Prediction of peak oxygen uptake from submaximal exercise tests in older men and women. J Aging Phys Act 5:27–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Astorino TA, Rietschel JC, Tam PA, Taylor K, Johnson SM, Freedman TP, Sakarya CE (2004) Reinvestigation of optimal duration of VO2max testing. J Exerc Physiol 7:1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Astorino TA, McMillan DW, Edmunds RM, Sanchez E (2015) Increased cardiac output elicits higher VO2max in response to self-paced exercise. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 40:223–229

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Basset FA, Boulay MR (2000) Specificity of treadmill and cycle ergometer tests in triathletes, runners and cyclists. Eur J Appl Physiol 81:214–221

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Borg G (1998) Borg’s perceived exertion and pain scales. Human Kinetics, Champaign

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruce R, Kusumi F, Hosmer D (1973) Maximal oxygen intake and nomographic assessment of functional aerobic impairment in cardiovascular disease. Am Heart J 85:546–562

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chidnok W, DiMenna FJ, Bailey SJ, Burnley M, Wilkerson DP, Vanhatalo A, Jones AM (2013) VO2max is not altered by self-pacing during incremental exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 113:529–539

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Demirhan B, Cengiz A, Turkmen M, Tekbac B, Cebi M (2014) Evaluating maximum oxygen uptake of male soccer players with bruce protocol science. Mov Health 14:223–228

    Google Scholar 

  • Eston RG (2012) Use of ratings of perceived exertion in sports. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 7:175–182

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eston RG, Thompson M (1997) Use of ratings of perceived exertion for predicting maximal work rate and prescribing exercise intensity in patients taking atenolol. Br J Sports Med 31:114–119

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Eston RG, Lamb KL, Parfitt G, King N (2005) The validity of predicting maximal oxygen uptake from a perceptually-regulated graded exercise test. Eur J Appl Physiol 94:221–227

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eston RG, Crockett A, Jones AM (2014) Discussion of “The efficacy of the self-paced VO2max test to measure maximal oxygen uptake in treadmill running”. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 39:581–582

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Evans CH, White RD (2009) exercise testing for primary care and sports medicine physicians. Springer Science & Business Media, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Evans HJ, Parfitt G, Eston RG (2013) The perceptually regulated exercise test is sensitive to increases in maximal oxygen uptake. Eur J Appl Physiol 113:1233–1239

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Faulkner J, Mauger AR, Woolley B, Lambrick D (2015) The efficacy of a self-paced VO2max test during motorized treadmill exercise. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 10:99–105

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hamlin M, Draper N, Blackwell G, Shearman J, Kimber N (2012) Determination of maximal oxygen uptake using the Bruce or a novel athlete-led protocol in a mixed population. J Hum Kinet 31:97–104

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hill AV, Lupton H (1922) The oxygen consumption during running. J Physiol 56:xxxii–xxxiii

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hill AV, Lupton H (1923) Muscular exercise, lactic acid, and the supply and utilization of oxygen. QJM-Int J Med 16:135–171

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hogg JS, Hopker JG, Mauger AR (2015) The self-paced VO2max test to assess maximal oxygen uptake in highly trained runners. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 10:172–177

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kobayashi Y, Takeuchi T, Hosoi T, Yoshizaki H, Loeppky JA (2005) Effect of a marathon run on serum lipoproteins, creatine kinase, and lactate dehydrogenase in recreational runners. Res Quart Exerc Sport 76:450–455

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mauger AR, Sculthorpe N (2012) A new VOmax protocol allowing self-pacing in maximal incremental exercise. Br J Sports Med 46:59–63

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mauger AR, Metcalfe AJ, Taylor L, Castle PC (2013) The efficacy of the self-paced VO2max test to measure maximal oxygen uptake in treadmill running. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 38:1211–1216

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Midgley AW, McNaughton LR, Carroll S (2006) Verification phase as a useful tool in the determination of the maximal oxygen uptake of distance runners. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 31:541–548. doi:10.1139/h06-023

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Midgley AW, Bentley DJ, Luttikholt H, McNaughton LR, Millet GP (2008) Challenging a dogma of exercise physiology. Sports Med 38:441–447

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Myers J, Bellin D (2000) ramp exercise protocols for clinical and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Sports Med 30:23–29. doi:10.2165/00007256-200030010-00003

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Myers J, Buchanan N, Walsh D, Kraemer M, McAuley P, Hamilton-Wessler M, Froelicher VF (1991) Comparison of the ramp versus standard exercise protocols. J Am Coll Cardiol 17:1334–1342

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pechar G, McArdle W, Katch F, Magel J, DeLuca J (1974) Specificity of cardiorespiratory adaptation to bicycle and treadmill training. J Appl Physiol 36:753–756

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Poole DC (2014) Discussion: “The efficacy of the self-paced VO2max test to measure maximal oxygen uptake in treadmill running”. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 39:586–588

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ricci J, Leger L (1983) VO2max of cyclists from treadmill, bicycle ergometer and velodrome tests. Eur J Appl Physiol 50:283–289

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Robergs RA, Dwyer D, Astorino T (2010) Recommendations for improved data processing from expired gas analysis indirect calorimetry. Sports Med 40:95–111

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Scharhag-Rosenberger F, Carlsohn A, Cassel M, Mayer F, Scharhag J (2011) How to test maximal oxygen uptake: a study on timing and testing procedure of a supramaximal verification test. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 36:153–160. doi:10.1139/H10-099

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Scheadler CM, Devor ST (2015) VO2max Measured with a Self-selected Work Rate Protocol on an Automated Treadmill. Med Sci Sports Exerc 47:2158–2165

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Straub AM, Midgley AW, Zavorsky GS, Hillman AR (2014) Ramp-incremented and RPE-clamped test protocols elicit similar VO2max values in trained cyclists. Eur J Appl Physiol 114:1581–1590

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson WR, Gordon NF, Pescatello LS (2009) ACSM’s guidelines for exercise testing and prescription, 8th edn. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoon BK, Kravitz L, Robergs R (2007) VO2max, protocol duration, and the VO2 plateau. Med Sci Sports Exerc 39:1186–1192. doi:10.1249/mss.0b13e318054e304

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

No funding sources were used for this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicholas J. Hanson.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

None of the authors have any conflicts of interest to declare.

Additional information

Communicated by Anni Vanhatalo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Hanson, N.J., Scheadler, C.M., Lee, T.L. et al. Modality determines VO2max achieved in self-paced exercise tests: validation with the Bruce protocol. Eur J Appl Physiol 116, 1313–1319 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-016-3384-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-016-3384-0

Keywords

Navigation