Verification Testing to Confirm VO₂max Attainment in Inactive Women with Obesity

Incidence of obesity is increasing worldwide which is deleterious to health due to its association with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some cancers. Completion of regular physical activity in individuals with obesity increases maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max). However, whether individuals with obesity can exhibit 'true' VO₂max is unresolved. This study examined efficacy of verification testing (VER) to identify 'true' VO₂max in 17 inactive women with obesity (age, body fat, and VO₂max = 37 ± 10 yr, 48.7 ± 3.5 %, and 19.4 ± 3.0 mL/kg/min, respectively). They performed ramp exercise (RAMP) to volitional fatigue followed by VER at 105 percent peak power output (%PPO) at baseline and after 3 and 6 wk of high intensity interval training. Results showed no difference in ramp and verification-derived VO₂max (1.99 ± 0.37 L/min vs. 1.98 ± 0.32 L/min, 2.00 ± 0.40 L/min vs. 2.04 ± 0.38 L/min, and 2.08 ± 0.34 L/min vs. 2.08 ± 0.32 L/min at 0, 3 and 6 wk of training), although in 40 % of VER tests, VO₂max was greater than the RAMP value. Overall, verification testing may be adopted as an additional approach to confirm 'true' VO₂max attainment in obese women as ramp exercise frequently underestimates VO₂max in this population.