Is a verification phase needed to determine ${\dot{\text{V}}}$O_2max across fitness levels?

Abstract

Introduction

Current methods (plateau/secondary criteria) to determine maximal oxygen consumption (${\dot{\text{V}}}$O_2max) are inconsistently achieved leading some to suggest the use of a verification phase (VP) to confirm ${\dot{\text{V}}}$O_2max.

Purpose

To provide further evidence for the inclusion of a VP to confirm ${\dot{\text{V}}}$O_2max in different fitness levels.

Methods

Forty-nine participants (22 females; 21.9 ± 2.6 years, 24.3 ± 2.8 kg m⁻², 45.27 ± 7.68 mL kg⁻¹ min⁻¹) had their ${\dot{\text{V}}}$O₂ and heart rate measured during three graded exercise tests (GXT) on separate days each followed by a VP of differing intensity (85%, 95%, 105% final workload). Participants were divided into groups using norms adapted from American College of Sports Medicine ${\dot{\text{V}}}$O_2max guidelines (30.47–61.47 mL kg⁻¹ min⁻¹). ${\dot{\text{V}}}$O_2max was confirmed if the ${\dot{\text{V}}}$O_2peak on the VP or an additional GXT was within ± 2 × typical error of the ${\dot{\text{V}}}$O_2peak attained on the first GXT. There was no effect of test number so the third GXT was not included in comparison with VP.

Results

The ${\dot{\text{V}}}$O_2peak from the first GXT was not different than either value attained following the VP at 95 or 105% workload or a second GXT (p > 0.999). The 85% VP ${\dot{\text{V}}}$O_2peak was lower than the first GXT ${\dot{\text{V}}}$O_2peak (p = 0.002). The VP confirmed the GXT ${\dot{\text{V}}}$O_2peak on 73% of VP (no differences among fitness levels). Submaximal VP (85 and 95%) was less effective as 65% and 51% of participants achieved a higher ${\dot{\text{V}}}$O_2peak on one of the GXT.

Conclusion

The use of a VP at 105% or a second GXT was able to confirm the ${\dot{\text{V}}}$O_2max value attained across a range of fitness levels.