Journal of Exercise Physiology Online, cilt.11, sa.2, ss.1-17, 2008 (Scopus)
We hypothesized that a large proportion of the error of VO2max prediction comes from individual differences in heart rate responses to submaximal exercise, and that if these differences could be decreased the accuracy of VO2max prediction would increase. Eighty (43 male, 37 female) sedentary to highly trained, healthy volunteers first completed a self-report physical activity assessment (Lo-Par), and then performed a modified YMCA protocol with 4-minute stages, a second submaximal test involving an individualized ramp submaximal protocol that was terminated at 80% of their cycle ergometer age-predicted maximum heart rate. Exercise and five-minute recovery heart rate data were collected. A ramp cycle ergometer protocol with expired gas analysis was used to measure actual VO2 max. Multiple regression analysis produced a model resulting in an R2 = 0.867 and SEE = 4.23 mL/kg/min, with a prediction equation as follows: VO2 max (mL/kg/min) = 46.103 + (-0.353*Body Weight) + (0.683*Watts/min) + (-5.995*Gender) + (0.165*Delta Recovery Heart Rate) + (2.816*Recovery Heart Rate Non-Linear K) + (0.0138*Lo-PAR Exercise) + 4.234. T-test statistics showed no statistically significant differences between observed and predicted VO2max. Mean difference between YMCA, ACSM, and Astrand-Ryhming Nomogram estimated VO2 max and observed VO2 max were significant. However, the new equation did not decrease the error of prediction to the extent hypothesized.