Monitoring changes in VO_2maxvia the Polar FT40 in female collegiate soccer players

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine if the Polar FT40 could accurately track changes in maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) in a group of female soccer players. Predicted VO2max (pVO2max) via the Polar FT40 and observed VO2max (aVO2max) from a maximal exercise test on a treadmill were determined for members of a collegiate soccer team (n = 20) before and following an 8-week endurance training protocol. Predicted (VO2max and aVO2max measures were compared at baseline and within 1 week post-training. Change values (i.e., the difference between pre to post) for each variable were also determined and compared. There was a significant difference in aVO2max (pre = 43.6 ± 2.4 ml · kg · min(-1), post = 46.2 ± 2.4 ml · kg · min(-1), P < 0.001) and pVO2max (pre = 47.3 ± 5.3 ml · kg · min(-1), post = 49.7 ± 6.2 ml · kg · min(-1), P = 0.009) following training. However, predicted values were significantly greater at each time point compared to observed values (P < 0.001 at pre and P = 0.008 at post). Furthermore, there was a weak correlation between the change in aVO2max and the change in pVO2max (r = 0.18, P = 0.45). The Polar FT40 does not appear to be a valid method for predicting changes in individual VO2max following 8 weeks of endurance training in female collegiate soccer players.

Validity of the Polar M430 Among Females of Varying Fitness Levels, Body Fat Percentage, and Reported Physical Activity

“…Thirty-two females from a university aerobics class volunteered for the study. Both studies from Lowe et al (2010) and Esco et al (2014) found common results among females. However, these studies did not directly compare those results with males.…”

“…Shryack et al (2018) also found no significant difference between predicted and actual values among females when using the Polar M30. There is, however, previous research that contradicts these results when comparing pV O2max against aV O2max among females (Crouter et al, 2004;Esco et al, 2014;Lowe et al, 2010;Snyder et al, 2018). The contradiction between the present study and previous studies might come from our use of a newer model (Polar M430) compared to other monitors such as the Polar FT40, S410, F6, and F11 used in previous studies.…”

“…When using the Polar FT40, Esco, Snarr, and Williford (2014) also found that predicted V O2max was significantly overestimated amongst female collegiate soccer players when compared to the measured values using a Bruce treadmill protocol (p = 0.008, Cohen's d = 0.90). This pattern was also confirmed in a study by Lowe, Lloyd, Miller, McCurdy, and Pope (2010) who measured the accuracy of the Polar F6 amongst college females who participate in an aerobics dance class.…”

“…Previous research has shown that the Polar Fitness Test in Polar HR monitors overestimates predicted V O2max scores within females (Crouter et al, 2004;Esco et al, 2014;Lowe et al, 2010). Esco Snarr and Williford (2014) discussed that because the prediction equations used to predict V O2max in Polar HR monitors are not available to the public, it is challenging to determine which variable is most responsible for the differences between predicted and actual measures. However, they speculated that because PA is self-reported, an exaggerated PA rating could result in an overestimated prediction (Esco et al, 2014).…”

“…Esco Snarr and Williford (2014) discussed that because the prediction equations used to predict V O2max in Polar HR monitors are not available to the public, it is challenging to determine which variable is most responsible for the differences between predicted and actual measures. However, they speculated that because PA is self-reported, an exaggerated PA rating could result in an overestimated prediction (Esco et al, 2014). Each of these previous research studies did not take into account the possibility of PA levels, body fat percentage, or measured V O2max of the participant could affect the prediction value.…”