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DO SHORTER INCREMENTAL INCREASES IN WORKLOAD AFFECT VO2 PEAK MEASUREMENT?

Abstract

Previous research has shown no difference in VO2 peak measurements between ramp and step protocols, but no study has examined whether 1-minute vs. 3-minute stages influence physiologic performance. Furthermore, differences in VO2 peak using different protocols has not been tested using a new clinical-grade metabolic device called the CardioCoach CO2. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a difference in peak VO2 measures using a 1-minute vs. a 3-minute stage protocol on a new clinical-grade metabolic testing device. METHODS: Five healthy, recreationally active subjects performed two VO2 peaks tests (CardioCoachCO2, KORR Medical Technologies, Salt Lake City, UT) using two different protocols with at least 48-hours of rest between tests. VO2 peak measures were recorded during 1-min and 3-min interval protocols. The protocols used a consistent running speed and overall %grade but adjusted the %grade using smaller increments during the 1-min stage test. RESULTS: Peak HR (189.8 +/- 6.1 vs. 188.6 +/- 6.7 bpm for 1-min vs. 3-min, respectively) and peak VO2 (57.7 +/- 5.1 vs 63.6 +/- 9.8 ml/kg/min, for 1-min and 3-min, respectively) did not differ between protocols (p>0.05) but peak RER was significantly different (1.20 +/- 0.07 vs. 1.05 +/- 0.05 for 1-min vs. 3-min, respectively; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in max HR or VO2 peak measures between the 1- and 3-minute stage protocols, but adjusting the grade at 1-min increments may create a higher RER at VO2 peak. This study was limited in sample size and subjects had not participated in VO2 testing before while running on the treadmill, which may have influenced our results.

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