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MEASUREING HRMAX AND VO2PEAK WITH AN ON-WATER OUTRIGGER CANOEING TEST PROTOCOL: AN ACCESSMETS PROJECT

Abstract

Our research group recently developed an on-water test protocol that mimicked a discontinuous graded exercise test (GXT) to exhaustion for the purpose of measuring both submaximal (i.e., METs) and maximal outcomes (i.e., maximal heart rate, HRMAX; peak oxygen consumption, VO2PEAK). Use of this on-water test protocol to measure maximal outcomes, however, was considered exploratory since no such protocol has ever been validated in the research literature. PURPOSE: To evaluate whether peak HR and VO2 values recorded during an on-water paddling GXT could be considered true maximal outcomes representing HRMAX and VO2PEAK, respectively. METHODS: 37 adults (23 women, 14 men) were recruited to paddle in a 6-person outrigger canoe test session on the ocean while both HR and VO2 were measured using a validated portable indirect calorimeter (without CO2 measures). Tests included a paddling warm-up, 3 submaximal paddling stages at “light”, “moderate”, and “hard” intensities (5-mins each). Next were two 2-min stages at maximal paddling intensity, where all stages were separated by 2-mins of passive rest. HRMAX and VO2PEAK were both defined as the highest values observed over 5-sec averaging intervals during both 2-min maximal intensity stages. Two criteria were applied to peak values: 1) A peak HR within 10 BPM of age-predicted HRMAX (i.e., ≥APMHR-10); 2) A peak VO2 being ≥2.5 ml/kg/min higher than that for the previous stage value. HRMAX was achieved if the first criteria was satisfied, while VO2PEAK was achieved if both criteria were satisfied. All data were summarized descriptively. RESULTS: Of 35 paddlers with complete HR and VO2 data, 22 (63%; 10 women, 12 men; (Mean±SD) 179±12 BPM, 38.8±7.9 ml/kg/min for HRMAX and VO2PEAK, respectively) satisfied both HRMAX and VO2PEAK criteria, while 13 (37%; 13 women, 2 men; 151±15 BPM, 40.3±10.5 ml/kg/min) satisfied neither criteria. CONCLUSION: While most paddlers (63%) satisfied criteria for both HRMAX and VO2PEAK, the remaining paddlers all had much lower peak HR values than expected (relative to APMHR). While the cause of this observation is not immediately apparent, a future study should directly compare lab-based and on-water paddling GXT outcomes to better understand the validity of an on-water GXT protocol.

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