Abstract
BackgroundThis study was designed to investigate the validity of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) estimation through the Firstbeat fitness test (FFT) method when using submaximal rowing and running programs for well-trained athletes.MethodsWell-trained flatwater rowers (n = 45, 19.8 ± 3.0 years, 184 ± 8.7 cm, 76 ± 12.9 kg, and 58.7 ± 6.0 mL⋅kg–1⋅min–1) and paddlers (n = 45, 19.0 ± 2.5 years, 180 ± 7.7 cm, 74 ± 9.4 kg, and 59.9 ± 4.8 mL⋅kg–1⋅min–1) completed the FFT and maximal graded exercise test (GXT) programs of rowing and running, respectively. The estimated VO2max was calculated using the FFT system, and the measured VO2max was obtained from the GXT programs. Differences between the estimated and measured VO2max values were analyzed to assess the accuracy and agreement of the predictions. Equations from the previous study were also used to predict the VO2max in the submaximal programs to compare the accuracy of prediction with the FFT method.ResultsThe FFT method was in good agreement with the measured VO2max in both groups based on the intraclass correlation coefficients (>0.8). Additionally, the FFT method had considerable accuracy in VO2max estimation as the mean absolute percentage error (≤5.0%) and mean absolute error (<3.0 mL⋅kg–1⋅min–1) were fairly low. Furthermore, the FFT method seemed more accurate in the estimation of VO2max than previously reported equations, especially in the rowing test program.ConclusionThis study revealed that the FFT method provides a considerably accurate estimation of VO2max in well-trained athletes.
Highlights
Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) is defined as the maximal capacity of the pulmonary, cardiovascular, and muscular systems to deliver and utilize oxygen, which can reflect an individual’s cardiorespiratory fitness (Saltin and Strange, 1992; Bassett and Howley, 1997; Levine, 2008)
Indirect methods of estimating VO2max based on the submaximal exercise program seem to be a good choice for athletes or teams, and these can frequently be used during the training season
We examined previous equations that predict VO2max based on Klusiewicz et al.’s (2016) and Marsh’s (2012) studies using the heart rate (HR) and PWC170 and compared them to the directly measured VO2max from the graded exercise test (GXT) program
Summary
Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) is defined as the maximal capacity of the pulmonary, cardiovascular, and muscular systems to deliver and utilize oxygen, which can reflect an individual’s cardiorespiratory fitness (Saltin and Strange, 1992; Bassett and Howley, 1997; Levine, 2008). VO2max can be measured through direct methods with a metabolic gas measurement system, with the athlete performing a maximal graded exercise test (GXT) until exhaustion. This is regarded as the gold standard as it can obtain an accurate value of VO2max (Beltz et al, 2016). The exhausting exercise program affects the training arrangement of the season (Montgomery et al, 2009; Tanner and Gore, 2013; Riebe et al, 2018) From this perspective, indirect methods of estimating VO2max based on the submaximal exercise program seem to be a good choice for athletes or teams, and these can frequently be used during the training season. This study was designed to investigate the validity of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) estimation through the Firstbeat fitness test (FFT) method when using submaximal rowing and running programs for well-trained athletes
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