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Emergence of the verification phase procedure for confirming ‘true’V̇O 2max
Author(s) -
Midgley A. W.,
Carroll S.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2009.00898.x
Subject(s) - mathematics , vo2 max , limits of agreement , respiratory exchange ratio , incremental exercise , lactate threshold , cardiorespiratory fitness , statistics , blood lactate , heart rate , medicine , physical therapy , nuclear medicine , blood pressure
Traditional V̇O 2max criteria are typically based on attainment of a V̇O 2 plateau, and threshold values for the respiratory exchange ratio, heart rate and blood lactate concentration. Despite long‐standing criticisms directed at these criteria, their use remains widespread. This article discusses an alternative procedure, termed the verification phase, for confirming the attainment of true V̇O 2max . Following a continuous incremental exercise test to the limit of tolerance and appropriate recovery period, the verification phase is performed and is characterized by a supramaximal square wave exercise bout. Consistent peak V̇O 2 values in the incremental and verification phases, confirms that a true V̇O 2max has been attained. Six recent studies investigated the utility of the verification phase for evaluating true V̇O 2max . These studies consistently found small insignificant mean differences between the maximal V̇O 2 attained in the incremental and verification phases. However, this group mean approach does not identify individual subjects who may not have attained a true V̇O 2max . Notably, only one of the six studies reported a criterion threshold to verify the V̇O 2max of individual subjects. Further research is required to investigate the utility of different verification phase procedures and to establish a suitable verification criterion threshold for confirming true V̇O 2max .