VO2max Measured with a Self-selected Work Rate Protocol on an Automated Treadmill

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Cardiorespiratory Fitness Assessment
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) is commonly measured using graded maximal exercise tests.
• Self-selected pace protocols (SPV) have shown comparable or higher VO2max than traditional protocols (TP).
• Limited research exists on SPV treadmill protocols for cardiorespiratory fitness measurement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the validity of an automated treadmill SPV for measuring cardiorespiratory fitness.
• To compare VO2max values obtained from SPV and TP on a treadmill.

Main Methods:

• Thirteen endurance runners underwent three maximal treadmill tests.
• Oxygen consumption was measured using a computerized system.
• SPV utilized an automated treadmill with real-time speed adjustments based on subject position; TP used the same treadmill without automation.

Main Results:

• Peak work rate was significantly higher in SPV (1.2 METs) compared to TP (P < 0.05).
• Oxygen consumption was significantly higher during TP (64.9 mL·kg·min) than SPV (63.4 mL·kg·min) (P < 0.005).

Conclusions:

• An automated treadmill successfully facilitated SPV, comparable to cycling protocols.
• SPV on an automated treadmill did not result in higher VO2max than TP, despite increased work rates.