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Data Processing Strategies to Determine Maximum Oxygen Uptake: A Systematic Scoping Review and Experimental
Simon Nolte1, Robert Rein2, Oliver Jan Quittmann3
1Institute of Movement and Neurosciences, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany. s.nolte@dshs-koeln.de.
Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)
|August 21, 2023
Summary
Researchers often fail to report how they process gas exchange data for maximum oxygen uptake testing. This inconsistency can lead to significant variations in results, impacting interpretation. Standardizing and reporting methods is crucial for reliable physiological data.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Cardiorespiratory Fitness Assessment
Background:
- Gas exchange data analysis for maximum oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) requires post-processing.
- Variations in data processing strategies can significantly alter V̇O2max values and their interpretation.
- Previous investigations into processing methods were limited to group-level analyses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically investigate the data processing strategies used in the literature for V̇O2max testing.
- To assess the impact of different processing methods on V̇O2max results.
- To provide recommendations for standardized reporting of V̇O2max data processing.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of 242 recently published articles measuring V̇O2max during ramp exercise tests.
- Extraction of reported data processing methods and their rationale.
- Comparison of common processing strategies using a dataset of 72 standardized exercise tests in trained athletes.
Main Results:
- 50% of studies failed to report their data processing strategy.
- Most studies utilized binned time averages, while fewer used moving time or breath averages.
- Processing strategy differences resulted in mean V̇O2max variations exceeding 5%, with substantial individual-level variability.
Conclusions:
- Researchers should adopt moving averages or digital filters over binned averages for V̇O2max analysis.
- Consistent and transparent reporting of V̇O2max data processing methods is essential.
- A seven-item reporting checklist is provided to guide researchers in documenting their methods.
