Does peak VO2 reflect VO2max in children?: evidence from supramaximal testing

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Exercise Physiology
• Cardiorespiratory Fitness Assessment

Background:

• A plateau in oxygen uptake (VO2) is traditionally used to confirm VO2max achievement.
• This criterion is often not met by pediatric subjects during exercise testing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the validity of the VO2 plateau criterion for determining VO2max in children.
• To assess if peak VO2 during initial testing reflects true maximal oxygen uptake in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

• Nine children performed an initial progressive treadmill test to exhaustion.
• Followed by three additional supramaximal treadmill tests with increasing workloads.
• Oxygen uptake (VO2) was measured throughout all tests.

Main Results:

• Only 33% of subjects demonstrated a VO2 plateau during the initial test.
• Peak VO2 values from subsequent supramaximal tests did not significantly exceed the initial test's peak VO2.
• Initial peak VO2 was a reliable indicator of VO2max despite the absence of a plateau.

Conclusions:

• The VO2 plateau is not a necessary criterion for establishing VO2max in children.
• Peak VO2 achieved during a standard progressive test is a valid measure of maximal oxygen uptake in pediatric subjects.
• Current criteria for maximal exercise testing may need re-evaluation for pediatric populations.