Purpose
The purpose of this study was to examine the ability of the YMCA submaximal exercise test protocol using a total body recumbent stepper (TBRS) to predict VO2 peak.
Methods
Out of 112 individuals initially screened, one-hundred ten individuals with low to moderate cardiovascular disease risk met the inclusion criteria for participation in the study. The maximal exercise test used a motorized treadmill and the Bruce or modified Bruce protocol. Oxygen uptake was measured and analyzed through collection of expired gases using a metabolic measurement system. The submaximal exercise test was performed at least 24 hours later but no more than 5 days post maximal exercise testing. Participants were instructed to keep a pace of 100 steps per minute and the resistance increase every 3 minutes according to the protocol until fatigue, or 85% of HR max was achieved. A cross validation study was also performed to determine the accuracy of the prediction equation.
Results
Using a stepwise regression, we report that VO2 peak can be predicted using a five element model including age, weight, sex, watts_endsubmax and HR_endsubmax (F5,69 = 70.31, p <0.001). We report a strong correlation between the predicted VO2 peak to the actual VO2 peak.
Conclusion
These data suggest the YMCA submaximal exercise test can be used with the TBRS to predict VO2 peak in healthy adults.