Int J Sports Med 2011; 32(4): 266-270
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1269914
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Validity of 3 Protocols for Verifying VO2max

J. M. Kirkeberg1, , 2 , L. C. Dalleck1, , 3 , C. S. Kamphoff1 , R. W. Pettitt1
  • 1Department of Human Performance, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Mankato, United States
  • 2Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, Havasu Regional Medical Center, Lake Havasu City, United States
  • 3Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision November 18, 2010

Publication Date:
26 January 2011 (online)

Abstract

The verification bout has emerged as a technique for confirming ‘true’ VO2max; however, validity during a single visit is unknown. We evaluated 3 different GXT durations with severe intensity verification bouts. On 3 separate days, in counterbalanced order, 12 recreational-trained men completed short (9±1 min), middle (11±1 min), and long (13±2 min) duration GXTs followed by exhaustive, sine wave verification bouts during the same visit. Intensities for verification were set at speeds equivalent to 2-stages minus end-GXT speed. No differences (p<0.05) in VO2max (mL/kg/min) were observed between short (49.1), middle (48.2), and long (48.8) protocols. In addition, no differences in verification bout duration occurred between protocols (3±1 min). Validity of VO2max was strongest for the middle duration protocol (ICC α=0.97; typical error=1 mL/kg/min; CV=2%). A small, but significantly higher HRmax (∼1–2 bpm) was observed for the long protocol. Maximum respiratory exchange ratios were inconsistent (ICC α ranged 0.58–0.68). Our findings indicate GXT-verification bout testing during a single visit is a valid means of measuring ‘true’ VO2max. The 10 min target for GXT duration was the optimum.

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Correspondence

Dr. Robert W. Pettitt

Department of Human

Performance

Minnesota State University

Mankato

Mankato, MN 56001

Phone: +1/507/389 1811

Fax: +1/507/389 5618

Email: robert.pettitt@mnsu.edu