Reliability Of A Submaximal Cycle Ergometer Verification Phase To Confirm VO 2max

Abstract

PURPOSE: To test the reliability of a submaximal cycle ergometer VO 2max test with a 90% power output verification phase (VP) test in active male and female participants. METHODS: 20 active (BMI = 22.7±2.9 kg/m 2 ; age = 25.5±4) men (n = 10) and women (n = 10) completed 3 ramp VO 2max graded exercise tests (GXT) on a cycle ergometer followed by 10 minutes of active recovery, then performed a constant-load verification phase test at 90% of maximum power output achieved on the ramp VO 2max tests to verify attainment of a ‘true’ VO 2max . RESULTS: Maximum attained VO 2 did not differ between the two verification phase tests (verification phase test 2: 3.01±0.69 L/min,verification phase test 3: 3.04±0.69 L/min; P=0.55). Likewise, VO 2max achieved on the verification phase was similar to the ramp VO 2max test (verification phase test 2: 3.01±0.69 L/min,verification phase test 3: 3.04±0.69 L/min; GXT 2 = 3.03±0.71 L/min, GXT 3 = 3.04±0.69 L/min; P > 0.05). ICCs and CVs for the group showed excellent consistency for VP VO 2max (ICC = 0.991; CV = 2.68 ±2.52%). ICC and CV for female participants VP VO 2max demonstrated excellent consistency (ICC = 0.987; CV = 2.5%). Male participants VP VO 2max displayed excellent consistency (ICC = 0.941; CV = 2.2%). Bland-Altman Plots showed no bias between VO 2max . CONCLUSIONS: The verification phase proved to be reliable with low variability and showed no bias based on VO 2max value. A 90% submaximal verification phase is a reliable test to confirm a ‘true’ VO 2max .