VO2MAX OBSERVATION WINDOW DIFFERENCES IN FEMALE NCAA CROSS-COUNTRY ATHLETES

Authors

SN Knight
LR Bowling
MJ Carder
EM Scudamore
V Pribyslavska
EK O'Neal

Abstract

Savanna N. Knight¹, Lynnsey R. Bowling¹, Mac J. Carder², Eric M. Scudamore², Veronika Pribyslavska², Eric K. O'Neal¹. ¹University of North Alabama, Florence, AL. ²Arkansas State, Jonesboro, AR.

BACKGROUND: This study analyzed differences in VO_2max values (L/min, ml/kg/min, and respiratory exchange ratio (RER)) between varying observation windows (OW): 60s, 30s, and 15s. METHODS: Female collegiate cross-country athletes (n=13) completed a singular VO_2max test with metabolic data collected via metabolic cart (TrueOne 2400, Parvo Medics Inc., Sandy, UT). Absolute and relative VO_2max, as well as RER data, were then analyzed in increments of 60s, 30s, and 15s. Data were analyzed via repeated measures analysis of variance to detect differences between OW. Intraclass correlation (ICC) was also conducted to assess the relationships of the different OW, with 60s serving as the criterion measurement. RESULTS: Regarding absolute VO_2max, all three OW were found to be significantly different (p<0.01). Fifteen-second OW was found to have the highest VO_2max (3.0 ± 0.3 L/min) compared to 30s and 60s OW (2.9 ± 0.3 and 2.9 ± 0.3 L/min, respectively). Relative VO_2max followed a similar trend with significance between all OW (p<0.01) and higher values at 15s (55.4 ± 3.3 ml/kg/min) than 30s or 60s (53.9 ± 2.9 and 53.2 ± 2.8 ml/kg/min, respectively). No significance was found between OW regarding RER values (p=0.38). A strong ICC was found between OW for all variables (absolute VO_2max: ICC=0.98, relative VO_2max: ICC=0.94, RER: ICC=0.92). CONCLUSIONS: The current study demonstrates that the chosen OW for VO_2max reporting may result in discrepancies for reported data. A change in VO_2max could occur simply due to the chosen OW, with a smaller OW resulting in an inflated value. Therefore, OW should be considered and reported when conducting a VO_2max test in female collegiate cross-country athletes.

Recommended Citation

Knight, SN; Bowling, LR; Carder, MJ; Scudamore, EM; Pribyslavska, V; and O'Neal, EK (2023) "VO2MAX OBSERVATION WINDOW DIFFERENCES IN FEMALE NCAA CROSS-COUNTRY ATHLETES," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 16: Iss. 2, Article 346.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol16/iss2/346