The validity and reliability of predicting maximal oxygen uptake from a treadmill-based sub-maximal perceptually...

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Cardiorespiratory Fitness Assessment
• Sports Science

Background:

• VO2max is a key indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness.
• Previous methods for VO2max prediction have limitations in safety and practicality.
• Perceptually regulated exercise tests (PRET) offer an alternative to traditional maximal exercise tests.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the accuracy and reliability of VO2max prediction using a treadmill-based PRET.
• To investigate the efficacy of incorporating a Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) upper limit of 15 ('Hard') in PRET.
• To establish a safer and more practical method for VO2max assessment.

Main Methods:

• Eighteen healthy, active adults completed three treadmill PRETs and one maximal graded exercise test.
• Participants self-regulated exercise intensity to achieve RPE levels 9, 11, 13, and 15.
• Oxygen uptake (VO2) was measured continuously, and VO2max was predicted via regression analysis extrapolated to RPE 19 and 20.

Main Results:

• Optimal limits of agreement between actual and predicted VO2max were -0.6 ± 7.1 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ (RPE20) and -2.5 ± 9.4 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ (RPE19).
• Reliability analysis showed limits of agreement of 1.6 ± 8.5 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ (RPE20) and 2.7 ± 9.4 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ (RPE19) between trials.
• The findings indicate acceptable reliability and validity for VO2max predictions using this novel PRET protocol.

Conclusions:

• A treadmill-based PRET, utilizing an RPE limit of 15, provides acceptably reliable and valid predictions of VO2max in young, healthy adults.
• This perceptually regulated approach offers a practical and safer alternative for assessing cardiorespiratory fitness.
• Further research may explore the application of this method in diverse populations and with additional practice.