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Abstract
ObjectiveTo describe different end criteria for reaching maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) during a continuous graded exercise test on the treadmill, and to explore the manner by which different end criteria have an impact on the magnitude of the VO2max result.MethodsA sample of 861 individuals (390 women) aged 20–85 years performed an exercise test on a treadmill until exhaustion. Gas exchange, heart rate, blood lactate concentration and Borg Scale6–20 rating were measured, and the impact of different end criteria on VO2max was studied;VO2 leveling off, maximal heart rate (HRmax), different levels of respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and postexercise blood lactate concentration.ResultsEight hundred and four healthy participants (93%) fulfilled the exercise test until voluntary exhaustion. There were no sex-related differences in HRmax, RER, or Borg Scale rating, whereas blood lactate concentration was 18% lower in women (P<0.001). Forty-two percent of the participants achieved a plateau in VO2; these individuals had 5% higher ventilation (P = 0.033), 4% higher RER (P<0.001), and 5% higher blood lactate concentration (P = 0.047) compared with participants who did not reach a VO2 plateau. When using RER ≥1.15 or blood lactate concentration ≥8.0 mmol•L–1, VO2max was 4% (P = 0.012) and 10% greater (P<0.001), respectively. A blood lactate concentration ≥8.0 mmol•L–1 excluded 63% of the participants in the 50–85-year-old cohort.ConclusionsA range of typical end criteria are presented in a random sample of subjects aged 20–85 years. The choice of end criteria will have an impact on the number of the participants as well as the VO2max outcome. Suggestions for new recommendations are given.
Highlights
The measurement of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) has been available for more than half a century and provides useful information about an individual’s maximal cardiorespiratory fitness and level of physical performance
There is currently no consensus regarding the assessment of maximal effort during a continuous graded exercise test on the treadmill – especially among women and the elderly – and the knowledge about how different end criteria variables are affected by gender and aging is scarce
This study examined 861 subjects during exercise testing on a treadmill
Summary
The measurement of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) has been available for more than half a century and provides useful information about an individual’s maximal cardiorespiratory fitness and level of physical performance. The classical plateau described by Taylor and coworkers is recognized as the gold standard to determine a true VO2max [1]. This criterion is not straight forward to use in practical settings [2]. There is currently no consensus regarding the assessment of maximal effort during a continuous graded exercise test on the treadmill – especially among women and the elderly – and the knowledge about how different end criteria variables are affected by gender and aging is scarce. The purpose of this study was to describe the different end criteria that are used often for reaching VO2max during a maximal progressive graded exercise test on the treadmill in a healthy sample of 20–85-year-old men and women, and to explore if the choice of end criteria has an impact on the VO2max value
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