Determination of best criteria to determine final and initial speeds within ramp exercise testing protocols

Abstract

This study compared strategies to define final and initial speeds for designing ramp protocols. VO2max was directly assessed in 117 subjects (29±8 yrs) and estimated by three nonexercise models: (1) Veterans Specific Activity Questionnaire (VSAQ); (2) Rating of Perceived Capacity (RPC); (3) Questionnaire of Cardiorespiratory Fitness (CRF). Thirty seven subjects (30±9 yrs) performed three additional tests with initial speeds corresponding to 50 of estimated VO2max and 50 and 60 of measured VO2max. Significant differences (P<0.001) were found between VO2max measured (41.5±6.6 mL·kg-1·min-1) and estimated by VSAQ (36.6±6.6 mL·kg-1·min -1) and CRF (45.0±5.3 mL·kg -1·min-1), but not RPC (41.3±6.2 mL·kg-1·min-1). The CRF had the highest ICC, the lowest SEE, and better limits of agreement with VO2max compared to the other instruments. Initial speeds from 50-60 VO2max estimated by CRF or measured produced similar VO2max (40.7±5.9; 40.0±5.6; 40.3±5.5 mL·kg-1·min-1 resp., P=0.14). The closest relationship to identity line was found in tests beginning at 50 VO2max estimated by CRF. In conclusion, CRF was the best option to estimate VO2max and therefore to define the final speed for ramp protocols. The measured VO2max was independent of initial speeds, but speeds higher than 50 VO2max produced poorer submaximal relationships between workload and VO2. © 2012 Sidney C. da Silva et al.