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Int J Sports Med 2009; 30(7): 509-515
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1202351
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Reliability of VO2peak Determination in Healthy Females during an Incremental Arm Ergometry Test

A. S. Leicht 1 , R. M. Sealey 1 , W. H. Sinclair 1
  • 1Institute of Sport and Exercise Science, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision December 15, 2008

Publication Date:
19 May 2009 (online)

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Abstract

This study examined the reliability of an incremental arm ergometry (AE) protocol during peak aerobic power (V˙O2peak) determination in healthy females. Fifteen females completed two incremental AE tests to exhaustion, seven to eleven days apart, using a mechanically braked arm ergometer. The initial work rate was 16W and increased by 16W every two minutes until exhaustion. Significant differences between tests were determined by repeated measures ANOVA, and paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, where appropriate. Reliability was determined by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), typical error, coefficient of variation (CV) and measurement bias/ratio and 95% limits of agreement (LOA). Peak cardio-respiratory responses were similar between tests, except for tidal volume (1.95 +/−0.47 vs. 1.81 +/− 0.41 L, P<0.05). Reliability for peak variables was moderate to high (ICC=0.659–0.941; CV≤10%) while LOA were considerable for most variables including V˙O2peak (LOA=0.57L · min-1). Similar peak cardio-respiratory responses, low CV and moderate-high ICC confirmed the reliability of the current incremental AE protocol to be similar to that of prior reported protocols for V˙O2peak determination. Substantial within-participant variability (LOA) for respiratory rate and tidal volume was common during the AE protocol and possibly reflects the influence of respiratory entrainment on reliability that requires further investigation

Key words

arm crank - peak oxygen consumption - upper body exercise - exercise measurement - variability

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Correspondence

Dr. A. S. Leicht

Institute of Sport and Exercise Science

James Cook University

Angus Smith Drive

Townsville 4811

Australia

Phone: +61/7/4781 45 76

Fax: +61/7/4781 66 88

Email: Anthony.Leicht@jcu.edu.au