Influence of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Protocol and Resting VO₂ Assessment on %HR_max, %HRR, %VO_2max and %VO₂R Relationships

Abstract

The findings of previous studies investigating the strength of the relationships between the percentages of maximal heart rate (%HR_max), heart rate reserve (%HRR), maximal oxygen uptake (%VO_2max), and oxygen uptake reserve (%VO₂R) have been equivocal. This inconsistency between studies could largely be due to differences in methodology. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine whether different VO_2max test protocols and resting VO₂ assessment influence the relationships between the %HR_max, %HRR, %VO_2max, and %VO₂R. Thirty-three young men performed maximal treadmill protocols (ramp, Bruce) to assess HR_max and VO_2max. Resting VO₂ was assessed as follows: a) resting VO_2standard, using strict criteria (24 h exercise abstention, alcohol, soft drinks, or caffeine; 8 h fasting; 30 min assessment); b) resting VO_2sitting and; c) resting VO_2standing (both 5 min before exercise testing). The %HRR was closer to %VO_2max than to %VO₂R, especially in the ramp protocol (p<0.001). In the Bruce protocol, relationships were closer to the identity line, and there was no significant difference between %HRR and %VO_2max, or %VO₂R. The VO_2max was significantly higher in the ramp protocol compared to the Bruce protocol (p<0.001). In both protocols resting VO₂ assessment produced no significant difference in the intercepts and slopes of the %HRR-%VO₂R relationships obtained from individual regression models. The %VO₂R calculated using resting VO_2standard was closer to %HRR compared to VO_2sitting and VO_2standing. The premise that %HRR is more strongly related to %VO₂R than to %VO_2max was not confirmed. Methodological differences should be considered when interpreting previous studies investigating %HR_max, %HRR, %VO_2max, and %VO₂R relationships.

Key words

aerobic training - physical fitness - health - linear regression - Bruce protocol - Ramp protocol

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