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Int J Sports Med 2010; 31(5): 319-326
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1248283
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Influence of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Protocol and Resting VO2 Assessment on %HRmax, %HRR, %VO2max and %VO2R Relationships

F. A. Cunha1 , 3 , A. W. Midgley2 , W. D. Monteiro1 , 3 , P. T. V. Farinatti1 , 3
  • 1Salgado de Oliveira University, Physical Activity Sciences Graduate Program, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • 2University of Hull, Department of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, Hull, United Kingdom
  • 3Rio de Janeiro State University, School of Physical Education and Sports, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Publication History

accepted after revision January 06, 2010

Publication Date:
03 March 2010 (online)

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Abstract

The findings of previous studies investigating the strength of the relationships between the percentages of maximal heart rate (%HRmax), heart rate reserve (%HRR), maximal oxygen uptake (%VO2max), and oxygen uptake reserve (%VO2R) have been equivocal. This inconsistency between studies could largely be due to differences in methodology. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine whether different VO2max test protocols and resting VO2 assessment influence the relationships between the %HRmax, %HRR, %VO2max, and %VO2R. Thirty-three young men performed maximal treadmill protocols (ramp, Bruce) to assess HRmax and VO2max. Resting VO2 was assessed as follows: a) resting VO2standard, using strict criteria (24 h exercise abstention, alcohol, soft drinks, or caffeine; 8 h fasting; 30 min assessment); b) resting VO2sitting and; c) resting VO2standing (both 5 min before exercise testing). The %HRR was closer to %VO2max than to %VO2R, especially in the ramp protocol (p<0.001). In the Bruce protocol, relationships were closer to the identity line, and there was no significant difference between %HRR and %VO2max, or %VO2R. The VO2max was significantly higher in the ramp protocol compared to the Bruce protocol (p<0.001). In both protocols resting VO2 assessment produced no significant difference in the intercepts and slopes of the %HRR-%VO2R relationships obtained from individual regression models. The %VO2R calculated using resting VO2standard was closer to %HRR compared to VO2sitting and VO2standing. The premise that %HRR is more strongly related to %VO2R than to %VO2max was not confirmed. Methodological differences should be considered when interpreting previous studies investigating %HRmax, %HRR, %VO2max, and %VO2R relationships.

Key words

aerobic training - physical fitness - health - linear regression - Bruce protocol - Ramp protocol

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Correspondence

Dr. Paulo de Tarso Veras Farinatti

Rio de Janeiro State University

School of Physical Education

Rua São Francisco Xavier 524 sala 8133F

20550013 Rio de Janeiro

Brazil

Phone: + 55/21/25877847

Fax: + 55/21/25877862

Email: pfarinatti@gmail.com