The ability of a submaximal cycle ergometer test to detect longitudinal changes in VO2max

Frida Björkman,Örjan Ekblom,Elin Ekblom-Bak,Tony Bohman

doi:10.1186/s13102-021-00387-w

Abstract

BackgroundThe purpose of the present study was to examine the ability of a submaximal cycling test to detect longitudinal changes in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and examine the conformity between changes in measured and estimated VO2max over a time span of 5–8 years.MethodsA total of 35 participants (21 men and 14 women), aged 29 to 63 years, performed the Ekblom-Bak (EB) submaximal cycle test for estimation of VO2max and a maximal treadmill running test for direct measurement of VO2max. The baseline tests were conducted between 2009 and 2012, and the follow-up tests were completed 5 to 8 years later. Pearson’s coefficient of correlation (r) and paired sample t-test were used to analyse the association between change in measured and estimated VO2max. Random and systematic errors between the measured and estimated VO2max were evaluated using Bland-Altman plots. Repeated measures ANOVA were used to test differences between changes over time.ResultsThere was no significant change in mean measured VO2max between baseline and follow-up (p = 0.91), however large individual variations were noted (− 0.78 to 0.61 L/min). The correlation between individual change in measured and estimated VO2max was r = 0.75 (p < 0.05), and the unstandardised B-coefficient from linear regression modelling was 0.88 (95% CI 0.61 to 1.15), i.e., for each litre of change in estimated VO2max, the measured value had changed 0.88 L. The correlation between baseline and follow-up errors (the difference between estimated-measured VO2max at each occasion) was r = 0.84 (p < 0.05). With regard to the testing procedure, repeated measures ANOVA revealed that there was no significant difference between the group who exercised at the same work rates at baseline and follow-up (n = 25), and those who required a change in work rate (n = 10).ConclusionsThe EB test detected a change in VO2max with reasonably good precision over a time span of 5–8 years. Further studies are needed to evaluate if the test can be used in clinical populations and in subjects with different medications.

Highlights

The purpose of the present study was to examine the ability of a submaximal cycling test to detect longitudinal changes in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and examine the conformity between changes in meas‐ ured and estimated Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) over a time span of 5–8 years
The mean heart rate (HR) at the standard work rate of 30 W was unchanged between tests, with large individual differences
Ten subjects had a decrease of 10 bpm or more and three subjects had an increase of ≥ 8 bpm in the follow-up test compared to the baseline test

Summary

Introduction

The purpose of the present study was to examine the ability of a submaximal cycling test to detect longitudinal changes in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and examine the conformity between changes in meas‐ ured and estimated VO2max over a time span of 5–8 years. Björkman et al BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation (2021) 13:156 provide the clinicians with vital possibilities to improve patient risk management and health [6]. Golden standard for V O2max assessment includes direct measurements of VO2max performed with expensive laboratory equipment and require a maximal physical effort from the subject. This limits the assessment of VO2max in the general population or in large scale settings, and submaximal exercise tests are commonly used. Many of these submaximal tests are executed on cycle ergometers [7,8,9,10]. The estimation of VO2max from the revised EB test is derived from sex-specific prediction equations, which include age, ∆HR/∆PO, ∆PO, and HR at standard work rate as independent variables [11]

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