Body Oxygen Level Test (BOLT) is not associated with exercise performance in highly-trained individuals

Area of Science:

• Cardiorespiratory physiology
• Exercise science
• Sports medicine

Background:

• Chemoreflex and baroreflex sensitivity are crucial for cardiorespiratory control.
• Breath-holding tests like the Body Oxygen Level Test (BOLT) are proposed to assess cardiorespiratory reflexes and exercise tolerance.
• Scientific validation of BOLT in elite athletes is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between BOLT scores and objective exercise performance measures in elite speedskaters.
• To determine if BOLT can serve as a reliable indicator of exercise capacity in highly-trained athletes.

Main Methods:

• 49 elite speedskaters completed the BOLT test, Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT), and a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET).
• Performance metrics included peak power, total work, power drop (WAnT), time to exhaustion, and maximal oxygen uptake (CPET).
• Statistical analyses involved Spearman's rank correlation and multiple linear regression.

Main Results:

• No significant correlations were found between BOLT scores and WAnT or CPET parameters (p > 0.248).
• Age, somatic indices, and training experience did not significantly predict performance in regression models (p > 0.38).
• A preliminary regression model explained only 8% of the variance in performance.

Conclusions:

• The BOLT score does not demonstrate a significant relationship with key exercise performance indicators in elite speedskaters.
• Factors such as age, body composition, and training history were not found to be significant predictors in this context.
• Caution is advised when interpreting BOLT scores for exercise performance in highly-trained athletic populations.