Potential Role for V˙CO2peak in the Evaluation of Athletes: Protocol Considerations

It is possible that, under certain circumstances and with appropriate caveats, the highest rate of carbon dioxide output during exercise (V˙CO2peak) could be valuable in the physiological evaluation of athletes. The aim of this study was to compare a ramp incremental test, a 30-second Wingate test, and a 3-minute all-out test to identify the protocol that provides the highest V˙CO2peak value.

Twelve physically active males completed the 3 tests in random order on a cycle ergometer. Breath-by-breath cardiorespiratory responses were measured before the onset of exercise, throughout the exercise sessions, and during the first 15 minutes of recovery to determine the highest 15-second mean V˙CO2 responses. Capillary blood lactate concentration ([lactate]) was assessed at rest and postexercise to determine peak Δ [lactate].

The V˙CO2peak was significantly greater in the 3-minute all-out test (64 [5] mL·min-1·kg-1) than in both the incremental exercise test (57 [5] mL·min-1·kg-1; P < .001) and the Wingate test (53 [8] mL·min-1·kg-1; P < .001). Peak Δ [lactate] was higher in the 3-minute all-out test (15.9 [2.7] mM) than the ramp test (11.9 [2.6] mM; P < .05) but did not differ from the Wingate test (13.3 [2.6] mM; P > .05).

These findings indicate that the V˙CO2peak was approximately 12% to 21% higher in the 3-minute all-out test compared with the incremental exercise test and the Wingate test. Future considerations of a possible role for V˙CO2peak in the physiological evaluation of athletes should ensure that an appropriate test protocol, such as the 3-minute all-out test, is used for its assessment.