Resumen de Comparison of the YMCA and a Custom Submaximal Exercise Test for Determining V[spacing dot above]O2max.

Nicholas A. Jamnick, Cherie D. Pettitt, Robert W. Pettitt, Savanny By

• AB The maximal oxygen uptake (V[spacing dot above]O2max) is deemed the highest predictor for all-cause mortality, and therefore, an ability to assess V[spacing dot above]O2max is important. The YMCA submaximal test is one of the most widely used tests to estimate V[spacing dot above]O2max; however, it has questionable validity. Purpose: We validated a customized submaximal test that accounts for the nonlinear rise in V[spacing dot above]O2 relative to power output and compared its accuracy against the YMCA protocol. Methods: Fifty-six men and women performed a graded exercise test with a subsequent exhaustive, square wave bout for the verification of "true" V[spacing dot above]O2max. In counterbalanced order, subjects then completed the YMCA test and our new Mankato submaximal exercise test (MSET). The MSET consisted of a 3-min stage estimated at 35% V[spacing dot above]O2max and a second 3-min stage estimated at either 65% or 70% V[spacing dot above]O2max, where V[spacing dot above]O2max was estimated with a regression equation using sex, body mass index, age, and self-reported PA-R. Results: V[spacing dot above]O2 values from the graded exercise test and square wave verification bout did not differ with the highest value used to identify "true" V[spacing dot above]O2max (45.1 +/- 8.89 mL[middle dot]kg-1[middle dot]min-1). The MSET (43.6 +/- 8.6 mL[middle dot]kg-1[middle dot]min-1) did not differ from "true" V[spacing dot above]O2max, whereas the YMCA test (41.1 +/- 9.6 mL[middle dot]kg-1[middle dot]min-1) yielded an underestimation (P = 0.002). The MSET was moderately correlated with "true" V[spacing dot above]O2max (ICC = 0.73, CV of 11.3%). The YMCA test was poorly correlated with "true" V[spacing dot above]O2max (ICC = 0.29, CV of 15.1%). Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine submaximal exercise protocols versus a verified V[spacing dot above]O2max protocol. The MSET yielded better estimates of V[spacing dot above]O2max because of the protocol including a stage exceeding gas exchange threshold.