Does heart rate response confirm the attainment of maximal oxygen uptake in adults 45years and older?

Abstract

To test the efficacy of a plateau in heart rate (HRplat) as an effective indicator for confirming [Formula: see text]max attainment in a middle-aged to older sample. Nine men and eleven women (age 60 ± 8.5 years, [Formula: see text]max 35.9 ± 9.4ml/kg/min, N = 20) completed a single [Formula: see text]max test on both the treadmill and cycle ergometer.[Formula: see text]max was confirmed using a plateau in [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]plat) of ≤ 150ml/min, a verification bout, and HRplat (≤ 4bpm). [Formula: see text]plat occurred in 100% and 95% of participants on the treadmill and cycle ergometer, respectively. Verification criteria ([Formula: see text]max during verification ≤ 2% of [Formula: see text]max during incremental test) were met by 80% of participants on both modalities. HRplat was achieved by 90% and 70% of participants on the treadmill and cycle ergometer, respectively. These results suggest that a verification bout is reliable for confirming [Formula: see text]max in older adults on both modalities. In our sample of middle-aged and older adults, [Formula: see text]plat was the most robust method to assess [Formula: see text]max when indirect calorimetry is available. Although more research is warranted, when indirect calorimetry is not available, a HRplat of ≤ 4bpm may be a useful alternative to get an accurate representation of maximal effort in middle-aged and older adults.