Validation of a single-stage submaximal treadmill walking test

Abstract

The single-stage treadmill walking test of Ebbeling et al. is commonly used to predict maximal oxygen consumption ([Vdot]O2max) from a submaximal effort between 50% and 70% of the participant's age-predicted maximum heart rate. The purpose of this study was to determine if this submaximal test correctly predicts [Vdot]O2max at the low (50% of maximum heart rate) and high (70% of maximum heart rate) ends of the specified heart rate range for males and females aged 18 – 55 years. Each of the 34 participants completed one low-intensity and one high-intensity trial. The two trials resulted in significantly different estimates of [Vdot]O2max (low-intensity trial: mean 40.5 ml · kg−1 · min−1, s = 9.3; high-intensity trial: 47.5 ml · kg−1 · min−1, s = 8.8; P < 0.01). A subset of 22 participants concluded their second trial with a [Vdot]O2max test (mean 47.9 ml · kg−1 · min−1, s = 8.9). The low-intensity trial underestimated (mean difference = −3.5 ml · kg−1 · min−1; 95% CI = −6.4 to −0.6 ml · kg−1 · min−1; P = 0.02) and the high-intensity trial overestimated (mean difference = 3.5 ml · kg−1 · min−1; 95% CI = 1.1 to 6.0 ml · kg−1 · min−1; P = 0.01) the measured [Vdot]O2max. The predictive validity of Ebbeling and colleagues' single-stage submaximal treadmill walking test is diminished when performed at the extremes of the specified heart rate range.