Validity and Reliability of the VO2 Master Pro for Oxygen Consumption and Ventilation Assessment

This study assessed validity and reliability of the VO₂ Master Pro portable metabolic analyzer for assessment of oxygen consumption (VO₂) and minute ventilation (VE). In Protocol 1, eight male participants (height: 182.6 ± 5.8 cm, weight: 79.6 ± 8.3 kg, age: 41.0 ± 12.3 years) with previous competitive cycling experience completed an hour-long stationary cycling protocol twice, progressing from 100-300 Watts every 10 minutes while wearing the VO₂ Master and a criterion measure (Parvomedics) for five minutes each, at each stage. In Protocol 2, 16 recreationally active male participants (height: 168.2 ± 8.4 cm, weight: 76.5 ± 13.3 kg, age: 23.0 ± 9.4 years) completed three incremental, maximal stationary cycling tests wearing one of three analyzers for each test (VO₂ Master version 1.1.1, VO₂ Master version 1.2.1, Parvomedics). For Protocol 1 and convergent validity, the VO₂ Master had mean absolute differences from the Parvomedics of <0.3 L/min for absolute VO₂ and <5 L/min for VE overall and at each exercise stage. Mean absolute percent differences (MAPD) for VO₂ and VE were <9% overall and <12% at each stage. Test-retest reliability of the VO₂ Master (MAPD: 8.9-10.9%) was somewhat poorer than the Parvomedics (MAPD: 5.3-7.6%). For Protocol 2, validity was similar for both VO₂ Master models (MAPD ~12% overall) compared to the Parvomedics for VO₂ and VE. The VO₂ Master had an acceptable validity and test-retest reliability for most intensities tested and may be an appealing option for field-based VO₂ and VE analysis.