PREDICTING MAXIMAL OXYGEN CONSUMPTION (VO2max) FROM ANAEROBIC TREADMILL TEST TIME

Kylie J. Brown1, Crawford, Derek A. Crawford2, and Michael J. Carper1. 1Applied Physiology Laboratory and 2Applied Movement Science Laboratory, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS, U.S.A. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) testing is widely used in laboratories and requires expensive pieces of equipment. There are numerous prediction equations used to determine VO2max, but none are based on the anaerobic treadmill test (AnTT). PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to develop a regression model to predict maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) from anaerobic treadmill test time. METHODS: A total of 30 college-aged males and females participated in this investigation. Subjects reported to the Applied Physiology Laboratory for both VO2max and AnTT. On day 1 and day 2 of testing basic anthropometric data was collected. On day 1 of testing subjects performed a VO2max treadmill (TM) test utilizing the Bruce protocol. Subjects were properly fitted into a safety harness (SH) to ensure subjects reached volitional fatigue in safety. Subjects were fitted with a face mask connected to a metabolic cart (MMC) for collection of expired gases and determination of VO2max. Blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and RPE were recorded at rest, 30s prior to the end of each stage, and at volitional fatigue. On day 2 of testing (≥48h after day 1 testing) subjects performed an AnTT. Subjects were, again, properly fitted into the SH and fitted with a face mask connected to a MMC for determination of VO2max. For this test the treadmill was set at a 20% grade and at a speed of 8mph. Subjects were timed with a standard stop watch from the time they began running until volitional fatigue was reached. Measures of BP and HR were recorded at rest and at termination of the test and RPE was measured at termination of the test. RESULTS: The mean VO2max for the AnTT was 57.1 ml·kg-1·min-1 and the mean VO2max for the aerobic (Bruce) treadmill test was 58.6 ml·kg-1·min-1. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to develop a model for predicting VO2max from AnTT time. The correlation between the aerobic protocol and the AnTT time was significant (p≤0.003; r = 0.603), thus, the regression analysis produced the following predictive model: y = 37.2 + 0.38(x). CONCLUSION: Based on these results, we have demonstrated a model to predict VO2 max from anaerobic treadmill test time. However, the data demonstrate that subjects must complete at least 30 sec on the anaerobic treadmill test for the prediction model to work effectively for the 8mph test. This VO2max prediction equation could be used to shorten the amount of time subjects spend in the laboratory. Follow up studies are currently being conducted with variations in speed and grade and reliability studies are being conducted for the 8mph test in a similar population